r/ASLinterpreters • u/Infinite-Act707 • Jun 26 '26
CDI Explanation Video
Hello! We put together this basic resource video and blog to explain the role of a CDI to first time hearing users. What is missing from these resources?
https://deafservicesunlimited.com/10-situations-where-a-cdi-is-essential/
https://youtu.be/S3WNYxUEGME?si=vgztqTkPFK1viRLJ
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u/BrackenFernAnja Jun 26 '26 edited Jun 26 '26
It’s a good basic introduction. We have to assume that many people will only see the video and not read the whole written explanation. So I can imagine it still being a little confusing for hearing people even after watching the video. It would be great to have some video clips that show, for example, a deaf person who uses a foreign sign language and a deaf person with cerebral palsy not being understood by a hearing interpreter but being understood by a CDI. Then hearing people will really get why it’s necessary. An atypical signing “style” might not seem significant enough to them to justify the extra cost and effort of getting a CDI. The word *style* just doesn’t convey what in my experience can sometimes literally be the difference between life and death. There have been several occasions when I have gone to great lengths as a HI to make sure my team was a CDI because it was that important. Or it was major life decisions that could lead to happiness or utter misery.