I have been asked by several Pagan organizations for information regarding individuals available and willing to interpret for Pagan events.
A couple of years ago, I posted an article here on the blog searching out Pagan Interpreters, or Pagan-Friendly individuals willing to interpret within the Pagan Community.
I now feel it’s time to revisit this subject and update that list so I can make it available to Pagan organizations around the country, who can then use it to make contact with those individuals, in an attempt to enhance accessibility to their events by members of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community.
Thus I am reaching out to everyone and asking that you please email me at oshginva@gmail.com and let me know if in fact you would like to be on such a listing.
In doing so, please provide the following information:
Name
Phone Number
Geographical Area you would be willing to interpret
Are you are willing to be contacted by organizations who sponsor large nationally known events (such as PantheaCon, Pagan Spirit Gathering, Heartland Pagan Festival, etc.)
Do you hold any type of interpreter certification? If so, please describe
If no certification, please describe what training you have had in interpreting and/or ASL, such as enrolled in an Interpreter Training Program, etc.
Please describe your knowledge and/or involvement with the Pagan Community
How comfortable do you feel in being able to translate Pagan concepts and vocabulary into ASL?
Many Pagan organizations operate on a shoestring budget, and rely heavily on volunteers. If asked to provide interpreting services, what type of compensation would you be requesting (willingness to volunteer, bartering services, reduced fees, stipend, reimbursement for travel, etc.)
While I will not indiscriminately share your information with just anyone (it won’t go on public record anywhere), please be aware that I may and likely will share your contact information with those organizations in your area who contact me asking for such.
MANY THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR RESPONDING TO THIS REQUEST
Please feel free to share this with others who may be interested!
This sculpture shows the sign for "connect"...and that is what Deaf Pagan Crossroads is all about - making connections. Connections between Deafhood and Paganism, connections between the Deaf Community and the Hearing Community, connections between myself as the writer and you as the reader. I hope you will take the time to read my various posts, some of which are listed below. Welcome to the Crossroads, and I hope you make some connections here!
Thank you for doing this!
I am a hearing person and Pagan who is currently learning sign language(self-taught at the moment, but I hope to join a real class one day) One day, when I am advanced enough, I would be proud to join.
As of now, I have identified Pagan/Pagan-Friendly interpreters in the following states:
California
Florida
Illinois
Indiana
Kansas
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
New Mexico
Ohio
Virginia
Washington State
It is my goal to eventually identify an interpreter in each of the 50 states, or at least 50% – 75% of them.
I would like to start off by being able to identify at least two such interpreters in each of the regions of the USA:
New England (Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut) – ONE INTERPRETER IDENTIFIED
Upper Atlantic (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Washington DC) – ONE INTERPRETER IDENTIFIED
Lower Atlantic (Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina) – ONE INTERPRETER IDENTIFIED
Southeast (Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas) – ONE, POSSIBLY TWO INTERPRETERS IDENTIFIED
Midwest/Great Lakes (Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin) – AT LEAST TWO INTERPRETERS IDENTIFIED, POSSIBLY MORE
Great Plains (Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota) – AT LEAST ONE INTERPRETER IDENTIFIED, POSSIBLY MORE
Rocky Mountain (Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah) – NO INTERPRETERS IDENTIFIED
Southwest (Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona) – ONE INTERPRETER IDENTIFIED
West Coast (Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington State) – AT LEAST TWO INTERPRETERS IDENTIFIED, POSSIBLY MORE
I am in college to become a certified ASL interpreter and will hopefully be graduating soon. I’m in Texas, am willing to travel, and would love to volunteer for events!! When I graduate, I will be honored to help out.
[...] But also, sometimes words–and thus, perhaps the breath from which words come–aren’t enough. Ever since I saw S. J. Tucker in April, I’ve been fascinated with sign language interpreting–though I’ve encountered it before, and seriously pitied those who have had to do it for my presentations at PantheaCon on a few occasions, at S. J.’s show that day, a wonderful woman interpreted the songs, and it was much more like a dance than anything else. One person had given his prayers to Antinous at a PantheaCon ritual in 2010–where S. J. was actually a luperca!–in sign language, and I found it to be quite beautiful and moving as well. So, I’ve wondered, despite the fact that I’ve worked out some hand gestures for various aspects of Antinous, how would one sign “Antinous” besides spelling out his name? And as I wondered this, what should happen but today I saw a link to this post…! [...]
[...] the month of June. Please head over and give her a warm welcome!Ocean at Deaf Pagan Crossroads is starting a Pagan ASL (American Sign Language) interpreters list that can be provided to Pagan organizations and events so they can provide translations for deaf [...]
[...] ASL Interpreter List Being CompiledOcean at the Deaf Pagan Crossroads blog is compiling a list of Pagan American Sign Language Interpreters in the US. She wants to make it “available to Pagan organizations around the country, who can then use [...]
I am also a Pagan and professional Sign Language Interpreter. I’m located in the Metro-St.Louis area (in Illinois.) Would like to provide my information to you privately.
Hi Katy ~
I would be happy to have such information. If you check the above blog post, you will find a set of questions at the end regarding the information I would like to put on file for future reference. This information will only be shared with the relevent individuals, with your knowledge and consent.
If you could send me an email to oshginva@gmail.com with such info, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
~ Ocean