Interpreters, first responders invited to institute
June 7, 2013
Special to The Sun
OKLA. CITY — Interpreters for the deaf are invited to attend a week of training for educational interpreters June 10-14 or a one-day workshop, June 13, focusing on psycho-education testing and disaster preparedness. The afternoon workshop is designed to include first responders and emergency personnel.
The State Department of Education and the Oklahoma School for the Deaf will collaborate on the training on the OSD campus at 1100 E. Oklahoma Street in Sulphur. Pre-registration is required.
The week-long Oklahoma Educational Interpreter Training Institute is designed for educational interpreters who have not yet attained their levels of certification required by state legislation for those who interpret for students in public schools.
Workshop presenter Louise Sattler is a nationally recognized school psychologist with a passion for sign language. Her company Signing Families focuses on educational programs and products to promote sign language learning for people of all ages, including individuals with special needs and first responders in emergency situations. More information about Sattler is available at http://signingfamilies.com/.
Sattler’s first session, “The 411 for Sign Language Interpreters Regarding Psycho-Educational Testing,” will workshop attendees be more prepared and comfortable during students’ formal and informal psycho-educational assessments. This session is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to noon.
The second session, “Disaster Preparedness for Special Populations — What School Based Interpreters, School Personnel and Community Members Need to Know,” from 1-3:30 p.m. This workshop will help prepare participants to help children with disabilities during disasters or medical emergencies. Additional information will focus on interacting with and assisting first responders when they arrive.
“The afternoon workshop is very timely because of the tornados we have experienced recently in Oklahoma,” said Traci Prince, Oklahoma School for the Deaf admissions and student assessments director. “Ms. Sattler said that afternoon workshop is appropriate for first responders, fire and police as well who may be in contact with students who have disabilities.”
The cost for interpreters to attend the one-day workshop is $25, which includes training materials, meals and snacks. Police, fire and other first responder personnel may attend the afternoon session at no charge.
To preregister and get more workshop information, contact Prince at 405-620-0946 or [email protected].
Oklahoma School for Deaf offers free specialized instruction for children who are deaf or hard of hearing as well as the same academic curriculum offered at other public schools in Oklahoma. Students who reside on campus or commute attend classes four days each week. The school provides transportation home for weekends, holidays and summer breaks. OSD operates two pre-school programs in Edmond and Chickasha and provides free summer school and outreach services to assist students who attend other public schools, their families and educators. OSD has a 100 percent graduation rate.
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