Component: Interpreters Services

Legislation: Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS) Act

Service objectives

  • To increase the number of skilled American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters eligible to work for the Canadian Hearing Society (CHS) Ontario Interpreting Services (OIS) and across the province

Service description

Individuals served

  • The Internship Program at CHS serves ASL – English accredited interpreter training college program graduates
  • The Interpreter Internship Program provides training and community-interpreting experience up to eight interns per ten-month session. Through practical experience and one-to-one feedback and instruction, the program aims to increase the number of ASL - English interpreters eligible to work in the province

Service provided

Services provided include

  • Classroom instruction with qualified trainers
  • One to one feedback from trainers and interpreter-mentors
  • Hands-on interpreting experience through a regional placement under the guidance of experienced staff interpreters
  • One-month intensive placement working as a staff interpreter in a CHS regional office; and
  • Instruction on interpreting in a variety of community settings

Delivery method

Services are provided in person by trainers and mentors who have professional training and will be

  • Reflective of, and responsive to individual and community strengths and needs
  • Accountable to the individual
  • Sensitive to the social, linguistic and cultural diversity of individuals, families, and communities including Indigenous communities; and
  • Provided by individuals with the appropriate range of skills and abilities necessary to train sign language interpreters who will respond effectively to the needs of individuals and their family, in a variety of community setting

The Interpreter Internship Program excludes Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ) training.

Program goals

  • To increase the pool of available ASL interpreters

Ministry expectations

  • The Transfer Payment Recipient will adhere to the Interpreting Services Program Framework. Services will be provided in a manner that reflects the program principles stated therein
  • The Transfer Payment Recipient will review the needs of the individual and the appropriateness of the services provided

Reporting requirements

The following service data will be reported on at an Interim and Final stage. Please refer to your final agreement for report back due dates and targets.

Service Data Name Definition

# of Successful OIS Registration: Interpreter Internship Program

Number of unique individuals who successfully register with the Ontario Interpreting Service post-internship program.

# of Interns Served: Interpreter Internship Program

Number of unique individuals enrolled in the internship program during each cohort. Individuals who do not complete the internship program in the 10-month period will be counted in each year they continue to attend the internship program.

Interpreter Internship Program: Ministry-funded Agency Expenditures

Total ministry-funded expenses for the Transfer Payment Recipient to administer and/or deliver this program in the reporting year (cumulative).