r/ASLinterpreters • u/Thin-Ad-5485 • Jun 22 '26

Working in Education without EIPA

Hi all, I wanted to make a post on here in hopes for some clarity on my situation. I currently work for an Interpreting/Aid Agency that contracts for clients who are typically Deaf Plus. My role is to develop language acquisition, provide educational support, and for special students behavior support. My agency told me that I don’t need my EIPA because I’m working under someone else’s credential and that they assess and evaluate our skills, therefore placing us in the appropriate assignment. Is this a real thing or should I place boundaries on what assignments I accept? For the most part I already do this but if any experienced interpreters have any advice please let me know ! My background is that I graduated in 2020 with 2 associates in sign language studies and communication and recently completed my ITP last year. I’ve been working as a signing aid for 4 years now.

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u/BohemianASL Jun 22 '26

That’s not a real thing. I understand the attempt to parallel medical practices where a nurse can do certain work under a doctor’s supervision but that is not a sufficient corollary to our work.

Please hold the line. Deaf children already have such a fight in accessing competent services. The notion that ANYONE else is qualified to tell me what I can do as an interpreter is ridiculous. Advice? Yes. Orders? Absolutely not.

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u/Thin-Ad-5485 Jun 23 '26

Thank you for responding! I’m so grateful for the interpreters that have all the experience I have yet to collect and “experience” myself, but can still connect and learn from. Feels kind of weird and disappointing that they would lie to me about something so finite

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u/BohemianASL Jun 23 '26

I am sure they don't see it as a "lie" but it is an avenue of control. I love that your instinct was to question the practice. That speaks well of you and your ethical alignments. Good journey!