Webinars
The following are the hosted and compiled webinars gatherd by the IRIS Project that relate to increasing the quantity and quality of interpreters working and living in rural settings.
IRIS Rural Deaf Community Panel (2022)
Description: In June 2022 the IRIS Project hosted the Rural Deaf Community Panel facilitated by Dr. Naomi Sheneman, CDI. The panelists were five Deaf and DeafBlind individuals who lived in rural communities. Panelists were asked a series of questions to get their perspectives on rural interpreting services and access issues. The goal of hosting this panel was to create an educational resource specifically focused on the experiences of rural Deaf and DeafBlind communities in the United States.
IRIS Rural Interpreter Panel (2023)
Description: In April 2023 The IRIS Project hosted the Rural Interpreter Panel facilitated by Dr. Naomi Sheneman, CDI. This facilitated panel discussion included four rural interpreters who have a wide variety of experiences working in community-based settings across the United States. The primary topic of discussion reflected upon each of the interpreter’s “why.” Why did they begin in this field in the first place and why do they continue to do this work? The goal of this panel was twofold: (1) to create an educational resource specifically focused on the experiences of rural interpreters and (2) to unpack benevolence and its unintended consequences.
Working Interpreters in Rural Communities RID Town Hall (2022)
Description: In March 2022 the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) hosted a town hall for its members, with a panel discussion and open Q&A. The panel was composed of four rural interpreters across the United States and moderated by Cheryl Thomas, NAD V, CI, CT, NIC Master, SC:L & BEI Court. The IRIS Project was represented by a panelist, involved in the development of its content, and provided event support and coordination. This is a public recording of that session.
