Languages

Built for ASL, by a Deaf-owned agency

IMP keeps ASL on video or onsite, pairs Deaf interpreters with hearing interpreters on team jobs, and sends each job to interpreters with the credentials it needs. Frederick Interpreting Agency built it.

The Place a call window with VRI selected and American Sign Language chosen, a category, Start Video Call, and a mic, camera, and speaker test ASL on videoNever on phone or AI callsTest the camera first

ASL stays on video or onsite

IMP won't put an ASL, CDI, CART, or TypeWell request on a phone call or an AI call. The call window only offers them on video, with a second check behind it.

A signed language needs a picture. Keeping it off audio-only calls isn't a setting someone has to remember.

Teams, when the work calls for it

RID's Standard Practice Paper on team interpreting ties the decision to team to four things. Some contracts set a threshold; two hours is common.

  1. 1The length and complexity of the assignment
  2. 2The needs of the people being served
  3. 3The physical and emotional dynamics of the setting
  4. 4Avoiding repetitive stress injuries

In IMP, a team job keeps two or more interpreters on one appointment. Your agency decides when to team.

Board meeting, ASLThu, 6:00 to 9:00 PM, three hoursTeam
ATAlicia Tran, NICCAChris Anand, NIC

Example team job

Deaf interpreters

RID's 2025 Professional Practice Paper on Deaf interpreters describes what a Deaf interpreter is, explains the CDI credential, and notes the shortage of certified Deaf interpreters.

  • CDI is on the credential list for each interpreter's profile
  • A team job can pair a Deaf interpreter with a hearing ASL interpreter on the same appointment
  • Offers for a CDI job go to interpreters who hold it
Hospital discharge, ASLMon, 2:00 PMTeam
DIDeaf interpreter, CDISWSarah Whitfield, NIC

Example team job

Video that works for a Deaf person

When ASL goes over video, the picture has to carry the language.

What the rules and standards say

The ADA rules for video remote interpreting (28 CFR 35.160(d) and 36.303(f)) call for real-time, full-motion video, a picture large enough to show the interpreter's face, arms, hands, and fingers, clear audio, and staff trained to set it up quickly.

The NAD and Deaf Seniors of America's minimum standards for VRI in medical settings, and the NAD's 2022 position on VRI in courts, treat VRI as a fallback when a qualified onsite interpreter isn't available.

The video frame is an illustration. The requirements come from the rules cited above.

Credentials and clearances

Each interpreter's profile holds their credentials, and each language pair, like English and ASL, carries the settings they're cleared for.

NICCDICICTCSCSC:LBEI IBEI IIBEI IIIBEI IVBEI V

Your team sets these. Interpreters can't change them.

An interpreter's permissions: English to ASL cleared for medical and education
English to ASL, cleared for medical and education

When your ASL team is busy

Overflow coverage can offer a live ASL video call to the IMP Interpreter Network after a delay you set. Your own interpreters keep the call too, and whoever accepts first takes it.

Overflow coverage

Sources

  • RID, Standard Practice Paper: Team Interpreting
  • RID, Professional Practice Paper: Deaf Interpreter (2025)
  • NAD and Deaf Seniors of America, Minimum Standards for Video Remote Interpreting Services in Medical Settings
  • NAD, position statement on VRI in courts (2022)
  • ADA regulations, 28 CFR 35.160(d) and 36.303(f)

ASL questions

Something else? Bring it to the demo.

Can an ASL request go on a phone call?

No. IMP keeps ASL, CDI, CART, and TypeWell on video or onsite. The call window only offers them on video.

Does IMP support Deaf interpreters?

Yes. CDI is on the credential list, and a team job can pair a Deaf interpreter with a hearing ASL interpreter.

When should a job be teamed?

RID ties it to the length and complexity of the assignment, the needs of the people served, the dynamics of the setting, and avoiding repetitive stress injuries. Some contracts set a threshold, often two hours. Your agency decides.

Is VRI acceptable for medical appointments?

The NAD and Deaf Seniors of America standards treat VRI as a fallback when a qualified onsite interpreter isn't available, and the ADA rules set quality requirements for the video.

Which ASL credentials can we track?

NIC, CDI, CI, CT, CSC, SC:L, BEI I to V, and more.

What if our ASL interpreters are busy for a live call?

Overflow coverage can offer a live ASL video call to the IMP Interpreter Network after your delay.

Bring a real request to the demo

We'll book it in IMP with you, start to finish.