American Sign Language and CART Services

The Vendor is required to provide American Sign Language (ASL) services, video remote interpreting (VRI) services, and communication access real-time translation (CART) services.
- Services in a timely, professional, and competent manner to ensure effective communication access for individuals who are deaf and/or hard of hearing, including but not limited to students, faculty, staff, and visitors of the college. 
- Services may be required in both in-person settings and virtual environments, depending on the needs of the college.
- Trilingual capability, if any, in one or more of the following areas (preferred): American Sign Language/English/Spanish, American Sign Language/English/Haitian Creole, and American Sign Language/English/French.
- American Sign Language (ASL) is a visual-gestural communication system, with its own grammar and syntax, incorporating hand, body, and facial expressions.
- Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) is a video telecommunication service that uses devices such as web cameras or videophones to provide American Sign Language (ASL) remotely.
- Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) is the immediate conversion of the spoken word to text, streamed to the internet or directly to computers, for individual or group viewing.
- The competencies of interpreters must include, but not be limited to:
•    Proficiency in interpreting or as evidenced by appropriate credentials.
•    An excellent command of English including academic vocabulary and spelling.
•    Ability to voice-to-sign interpret at normal speaking rates.
•    An excellent command of American Sign Language (ASL) and/or Signed English.
•    Ability to sign-to-voice interpret messages into appropriate spoken English.
•    Knowledge of hearing loss and its impact in educational and workplace settings.
•    Minimum of a high school diploma or its equivalent.
•    Knowledge of classroom accommodations in the regular classroom for deaf/hard of hearing individuals.
•    Adherence to the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) / Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Code of Professional Conduct.
- Services must be accurate, impartial, and culturally appropriate, facilitating effective communication for all participants.
- Ensure timely arrival and readiness of interpreters and captioners for scheduled assignments.

- Contract Period/Term: 3 years
- Questions/Inquires Deadline: January 7, 2026