How to Book a Sign Language Interpreter in British Columbia
Whether you’re organizing a meeting, medical appointment, conference, classroom, government service, or community event, booking an ASL interpreter in British Columbia is a straightforward process. This guide answers the most common questions about requesting a Registered ASL-English Interpreter and explains what information you’ll need to get started.
How do I book an interpreter in British Columbia?
Booking a sign language interpreter usually begins by contacting an interpreter referral agency such as Still Interpreting Inc. You can submit your request by email, phone, or through an online booking form. Once we receive your request, we’ll review the details, confirm any additional information we need with you, and begin finding the most appropriate interpreter for your assignment.
Our service standard is to respond to all new requests within two business hours to confirm we have received your request and to ask for any additional information, if needed.
What information do I need to book an ASL interpreter?
Providing complete information helps us identify the best Registered ASL-English Interpreter for your assignment. When submitting your request, include as much of the following information as possible:
Date of the assignment
Start and end time
Location or virtual meeting platform
Name and description of the event or appointment
Number of Deaf participants, if known
Any preparation materials, agendas, presentations, or terminology
Billing information, including where the invoice should be sent
Don’t worry if you don’t have every detail yet. It’s helpful to provide as much information as possible at the beginning, but it’s perfectly acceptable to send the information you have while you’re still gathering the remaining details. We can work with you to collect any missing information after your initial request.
How much notice should I give when booking a sign language interpreter?
The more notice you can provide, the better. Booking early gives us the greatest opportunity to secure the interpreter whose skills, experience, and availability best match your assignment.
As soon as you know the details of your event or appointment, it’s best to submit your request rather than waiting until a set amount of time before the event. We can always update the booking as additional information becomes available.
Although advance notice is preferred, last-minute requests are still common. Approximately 18% of the interpreter requests received by Still Interpreting Inc. are for assignments taking place within one week, and many of these requests are successfully filled. Even if your request is on short notice, we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible and let us know if the time of the assignment is flexible.
How are interpreters selected?
Professional interpreter referral agencies consider several factors when assigning an ASL Interpreter, including:
Subject matter and specialized experience
Geographic location
Interpreter availability
Whether a team of interpreters is required
The communication preferences of Deaf participants
Any preparation required for the assignment
Our goal is to match each request with the most appropriate Registered ASL-English Interpreter available resulting in the highest quality service.
What is a Registered ASL-English Interpreter?
In British Columbia, the Westcoast Association of Visual Language Interpreters (WAVLI) has been granted Occupational Title Protection for three professional titles. Two of those titles are Registered ASL-English Interpreter and Registered Sign Language Interpreter. Working with a registered interpreter ensures that the interpreter is a professional who has completed the required training, is bound by a code of ethics, and is accountable to professional standards and expectations.
Working with registered interpreters helps ensure effective communication between Deaf, DeafBlind, hard of hearing, and hearing participants.
What is WAVLI?
WAVLI is the provincial professional association representing sign language interpreters in British Columbia. Professional interpreters in the province are members of WAVLI and participate in continuing education, professional development, and community engagement.
When booking an interpreter, you may encounter terms such as WAVLI member, Registered ASL-English Interpreter, Registered Sign Language Interpreter (RSLI), or Registered Visual Language Interpreter. While these terms are often used interchangeably in everyday conversation, they can have different meanings. Many interpreters choose one term over another based on personal preference or how specifically they wish to describe their role.
Where in BC are interpreters available?
With an extensive network of 170 interpreters located throughout British Columbia, we provide services across Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, the Interior, Northern BC, Vancouver Island, and the Sunshine Coast.
Can I book an interpreter for virtual meetings?
Yes. ASL interpreters regularly provide services for virtual meetings using platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Webex. When requesting a virtual interpreter, be sure to include the meeting platform, meeting link (if available), and any technical requirements.
Can I request a specific interpreter?
Yes. If you’ve previously worked with an interpreter and would like to request them again, let us know when submitting your booking request. We’ll always try to accommodate interpreter preferences whenever possible, although availability cannot be guaranteed.
What happens after I submit my request?
Once your request is received, we’ll:
Review the assignment details and ask additional questions, as needed
Confirm receipt within two business hours
Begin coordinating interpreter availability
Confirm your booking once an interpreter has been secured
Throughout the process, our scheduling team is available to answer questions and provide updates.
What if my booking details change?
If any part of your assignment changes after you’ve booked your interpreter, please let us know as soon as possible. Changes to the date, time, location, virtual meeting link, contact person, billing information, or assignment details can affect interpreter scheduling and preparation.
The sooner we’re informed of any changes, the better we can ensure your interpreter has the most current information and your assignment proceeds smoothly.
Ready to book an interpreter?
Still Interpreting Inc. has been connecting organizations and individuals with professional ASL interpreters throughout British Columbia since 1990. Whether your assignment is in person or virtual, planned months in advance or needed on short notice, our scheduling team is ready to assist.
Submit a request for your next meeting, event, appointment, or program via our online booking form. Not quite ready but have a few more questions? Use the live chat function in the bottom right of our website to connect with our staff!
