NBDA, NAD, RID Statement on Culturally Appropriate Interpreters

Recently, there have been situations where some interpreters have taken jobs that should have been offered to Black, Brown, Indigenous and Persons of Color (BIPOC) interpreters, Deaf interpreters, and Deaf persons. Such acts are cultural appropriation, and they disempower BIPOC and Deaf interpreters and consumers. This must stop. Even though there is a huge demand for interpreting services, the work is not shared equitably especially where the work requires cultural representation and expertise. NBDA joins with NAD and RID to empower BIPOC and Deaf Interpreters, and all consumers of the interpreting services. 

The skills and experience of BIPOC interpreters and Deaf interpreters must be respected and used everywhere, especially where they are the best cultural fit. For each job, interpreting agencies, hiring entities, and interpreters must consider how the interpreted experience will impact diverse, intersectional, Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and hard of hearing consumers. The NAD joins with NBDA and RID to transform the system for more equitable interpreter selection.

Pursuant to the Code of Professional Conduct, interpreters are expected to engage in self-introspection, self-critique, and ongoing dialogue and partnership with marginalized and oppressed communities. This helps to ensure authentic representation, which creates an unparalleled dynamic language and cultural equivalency interpretation experience. RID joins NBDA and NAD in declaring that Black, Brown, Indigenous, Persons of Color and Deaf interpreters must be prioritized when considering and accepting assignments.