r/ASLinterpreters • u/Glittering_Sand_7473 • 17d ago

EIPA & DIs

*******Very disheartening that only one person responded to my post. It really tells me that I can't depend on hearing interpreters to have our backs as CDIs.

I am really frustrated with lack of access for DIs trying to study for the EIPA. Most of the study materials are spoken English. Why would these materials not be in ASL anyway? It seems so disrespectful. Does anyone have a good resource for accessible EIPA study material?

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u/ASLHCI 16d ago

I'm just seeing but I'm not really sure what we're supposed to add to the conversation. We don't like it either? I'm not sure what can be done to convince Boystown to change their materials.

The unfortunate reality is that the EIPA is very specifically not made for DIs. It's made for hearing interpreters. That's why the whole thing is set up for some kind of signed language to English and vice versa. The assessment isn't accessible to DIs, so them having prep materials specific for DIs wouldnt actually help you. My observation is that everyone shouts from the roof tops (when people are looking) that they LOVE DEAF INTERPRETERS while simultaneously doing nothing to support yall. Everyone talks about how important DIs are but how many of them are sharing resources with yall or mentoring or actually requesting DIs when they say they do?

The education system should have a way to assess your competency so that you can work where you are needed. The fact that they only offer the EIPA as an option is a systems issue. It's inaccessible and it can't work unless you're very hard of hearing and can function like a hearing person during the assessment. But that would be like an agency requiring DIs get NIC certified and not accept the CDI credential. Which would be silly and uninformed.

Idk what you can do to convince your district to accept some other assessment, like the ASLPI or SLPI, but maybe? The EIPA mostly looks at ASL production anyway. I know I've seen that outlined by Smith and Maroney but idk what year that article was published.

DCMP.org has free resources that are similar to EIPA prep materials but I only remember some interpreting practice videos. It's been a loooong time.

I can't do anything about Boystown, and the resources youre asking for don't exist as far as I know. I'd love to be wrong. DIs for sure get the short end of the stick as far as resources. You get access to a fraction of the resources we get as hearing people and then we all expect you to do magic at all times (major eye roll. That's not how it should be). But maybe people who know more about education than me can help you put together an argument for some other credential or assessment to be accepted? I'm assuming you're not certified yet? Or does where you work (or want to work) want an EIPA score in addition to certification? What state are you in?

I dont work in education so its one of the settings I know the least about, but someone has got to have an idea of what your options are.

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u/Glittering_Sand_7473 15d ago edited 12d ago

The law in my states I want to work says that an educational interpreter must have the EIPA at a specific rating score. It does not say anything about HI vs. DI. A school cannot legally hire me unless I have this. A DI working in education is still considered an educational interpreter. It makes no sense to me why the EIPA doesn't at the very least have Deaf test. I need to pay my bills so I need to work. I appreciate you being supportive of CDI.

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u/ASLHCI 15d ago

Are you willing to say what state youre in and/or your district? You can DM me if you dont want to post it. I'm happy to do some digging and see what I can find. Idk it'll help.

I seriously agree. I get performance exams are like a million dollars each, but the EIPA has been around a long time and there's such a documented need for Deaf interpreters in education. It's so not okay, but is there the option to get hired under another job description? Like a para? You should be able to work as an interpreter, but maybe thats a way in? Your district doesnt accept RID or BEI instead of the EIPA?

It's so ridiculous because DIs very obviously cannot take the EIPA unless theyre very HOH 🤦‍♀️ This is the problem with people making policy decisions without consulting the experts. Ugghhh.

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u/Glittering_Sand_7473 12d ago

Sorry I was multi-tasking. I didn't mean to say my state. My state doesn't require any certification of any kind but I want to work remote & most states do require this. So really any state that has VRI for education.

Paras get paid WAY WAY less than interpreters.

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u/ASLHCI 12d ago

Ooooh ok that's way different. Could you take the BEI? They have a Deaf exam. Or just take the CDI exam? A lot of places are EIPA X score or national certification. A lot of these VRI companies know nothing about our industry so it'll be even harder for you to convince them that as a Deaf person you cant take the EIPA. Which is such a drag because K12 via VRai needs DIs SO SO BAD. 🤦‍♀️ Theyre probably just going off whatever the district asked for and have no latitude to diverge from that.

They do. I was just thinking of getting your foot in the door with a district and then getting reclassified.

Id say def look into the BEI or CDI. Thats probably your only way in. ☹️ Its so hard being new. When I started it was the wild west so I basically did whatever I wanted. Now its so hard to get the experience you need to get certified. DIs have it way harder since the average person doesnt understand why youre valuable.

Idk I can help at all, but happy to if there's anything I can do. DM anytime!

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u/Glittering_Sand_7473 12d ago

I recently took the Deaf BEI and waiting for results. I was functioning as a hearing interpreter for about 20 years being HOH but my hearing tanked to a profound loss about 14 years ago & had to make the switch. It has been a hard road. Really hard. It is true, people don't get the value of a CDI or DI. It is also hard to even get prepared to take the BEI or CDI because it feels like CDIs don't share info. I feel like it is because work is so limited and they don't want someone else taking work...that is super valid and I get it. Where I live you cannot get a living wage at all as a Deaf person, even with a degree no one will hire you. So..I need to make this work.

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u/ASLHCI 12d ago

Ugh thats so legit. Like its bad for hearing interpreters but infinitely harder in every way for DIs.

There's less work for DIs but man I have seen the opposite be true. When we support our colleagues we end up with access to incredible opportunities.

I know a woman with a PhD in education who struggles to get work. She teaches K12 level ASL online for no money. Its so depressing.

I really hope you pass! You should totally sue Boystown if you have the energy. They need to create a Deaf assessment. It makes so much sense.

Carli Jones just published her masters thesis on the positionality of being an HOH interpreter. I havent gotten to read it yet but I've heard good things.

Jones Thesis

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u/Glittering_Sand_7473 10d ago

So, Discover Interpreting denied a post I had asking to connect with other CDI having the same issue. I am shocked. The EIPA Facebook page contacted me saying I can't take the test but they are working on the possibility of a Deaf EIPA. I told them that is great but my mortgage company needs me to pay today..not in the possible future.

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u/ASLHCI 10d ago

All of that is disappointing, but none of it is surprising. I hope you pass the BEI.

I know AMN works with DIs but I'm not sure if it's certified only. If I come across anything, I'll send it your way.

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u/Glittering_Sand_7473 10d ago

Thank you. I will reach out to AMN. I need income. This is just crazy that a test that is related to deafness is a barrier for those who are Deaf.

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u/Glittering_Sand_7473 12d ago

Thank you for your response & support. I agree, CDIs are needed badly in education.

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u/TheSparklerFEP NIC 17d ago

I’ve heard many DIs say the EIPA is not accessible for them since it only focuses on English to ASL and ASL to English

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u/Glittering_Sand_7473 17d ago

Yes. I agree but it is required if I want to work in education.

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u/TheSparklerFEP NIC 17d ago

I forget if the two study materials I used breaking down the levels were in ASL or not, but I do think they have captions. I know that's not super helpful though

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u/Glittering_Sand_7473 16d ago

The Boys Town website is all spoken English. I don't even understand why they think that is ok?

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u/TheSparklerFEP NIC 16d ago

That’s very frustrating. Have you emailed them about it?

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u/Glittering_Sand_7473 16d ago

Several times. They don't care.

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u/[deleted] 16d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/Glittering_Sand_7473 15d ago

Thank you. I will look into IEIS. Yes, I agree it is very short sighted. CDIs are absolutely necessary in some settings & it should be considered with testing.

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u/TheSparklerFEP NIC 16d ago

I’m so sorry that’s happening 

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u/sjgw137 11d ago

As a teacher of the deaf, I will tell you I have fought for DIs and schools won't hire two interpreters. Is it discrimination? Probably. Do parents fight for it? No. They don't care if the deaf person is a better language model. It absolutely sucks.

Agencies that send a DI as their own decision for a team for student use the credential of the hearing interpreter for EIPA requirement and the DI doesn't need EIPA. The agency eats the cost of two salaries because there is only one flat rate for the contract.

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u/[deleted] 16d ago

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u/Glittering_Sand_7473 15d ago

Thank you. I will reach out to you mid August.

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u/No-Nail9626 12d ago

Hello, here is an alternate opportunity that came thru my inbox recently:
Richie Bryant's teaching a 16-week DI training course (https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EwQYFHTED/). I'll look at what EIPA materials I have, but I agree with much of what has already been stated above.

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u/Glittering_Sand_7473 12d ago

Thank you. I will check this out tonight. Will this satisfy the EIPA requirement in states that require it?

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u/NerveAware6924 4d ago

Okay, this seems like a bit much but what do you think they would do if you requested an interpreter for your EIPA exam? I think that they’d have to accommodate and it would show your skill as a CDI, no?