Terrell I. Murphy
\nCommissioner<\/p>\n
Texas BEI Hispanic Trilingual Interpreter Certification Begins<\/strong><\/p>\n Texas has more than 1,200 miles of border with Mexico and an ever-growing \u201cThere was a clearly identified need for trilingual interpreters but no way DHHS partnered with the University of Arizona National Center for The BEI Trilingual Certification Program was initiated in January 2010. To For more information about the BEI Trilingual Certification contact Yolanda Terrell I. Murphy Commissioner Texas BEI Hispanic Trilingual Interpreter Certification Begins Texas has more than 1,200 miles of border with Mexico and an ever-growing population of citizens of Hispanic descent, and Spanish is still the first language for many of…<\/p>\n
\npopulation of citizens of Hispanic descent, and Spanish is still the first
\nlanguage for many of them. Deaf children of Spanish speaking families go to
\nschool in Texas and learn ASL and English, but then their families may only
\nknow Spanish. This creates a communication barrier within families that
\nalso reaches far and wide into other situations. The Office for Deaf and
\nHard of Hearing Services (DHHS), under the Texas Department of Assistive and
\nRehabilitative Services (DARS), responded to recommendations by their
\nconsumer-based Trilingual Task Force, established in 1994, about the need
\nfor qualified trilingual interpreters.<\/p>\n
\nto verify and document that an interpreter had trilingual skills, or the
\nlevel of those skills,\u201d said David Myers, DHHS Director, who led the effort
\nto develop the test program.<\/p>\n
\nInterpretation Testing, Research and Policy, to develop trilingual
\ninterpreter tests for certification of interpreters with skills to translate
\nbetween ASL, English, and Spanish. This test development was made possible
\nby a federal grant and by collaboration with experts from the DHHS-Board
\nfor Evaluation of Interpreters, University of Arkansas, University of
\nIllinois, and other resources. A panel of experts worked with the Arizona
\nteam to develop the tests, with assistance from an advisory group made up of
\nHispanic deaf consumers and trilingual interpreters who gave their input to
\nthe project. Pilot testing was conducted with interpreters from several
\nstates. The test program consists of a written Test of Spanish Proficiency
\nand performance tests at two levels, Advanced and Master. The tests are
\nvalid and reliable. Applicants must have specific BEI or RID certification
\nin order to qualify to take the trilingual tests.<\/p>\n
\ndate, seven trilingual interpreters have been awarded Trilingual
\nCertification. Plans are under way to offer testing at several locations in
\nTexas. Already some candidates from out of state have traveled to Texas to
\ntake the tests.<\/p>\n
\nChavira, DHHS trilingual interpreter and member of the Panel of Experts, at
\nYolanda.chavira@dars.state.tx.us or Angela Bryant, BEI Administrator,
\nAngela.bryant@dars.state.tx.us.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"