Visual Communication Services

The Vendor is required to provide on-site visual communication and American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter services for at least one (1), but up to two (2), deaf individuals with an intellectual disability.
- All services must be provided in-person; no virtual interpretation services are permitted under this contract.
- Schedule
•    Visual communication and ASL interpreter services are required for sixteen (16) hours per day, from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm each day, seven (7) days per week, including holidays.
•    Services shall be broken down into two (2) shifts per day, with each shift consisting of eight (8) hours. Only one (1) interpreter is required per shift per deaf individual. 
•    A single interpreter may fulfill the entire sixteen (16) hours consecutively for a single individual in a single day if desired; however, at least three (3) different interpreters must be utilized at the center within a single calendar week.
•    If a single interpreter is used to fulfill an entire sixteen (16) hour shift, then they must take a mandatory thirty (30) minute unpaid break after eight (8) consecutive hours worked.
•    Interpreters who are scheduled to work and call out, or who do not complete a full shift, will not be paid for those hours. 
•    The contractor will be compensated only for the interpreters' actual hours worked.
- Interpreter duties and responsibilities
•    Interpreter(s) must provide their own transportation to and from the center facility each day. 
•    Hourly pricing should be fully loaded, as no additional compensation will be paid for travel to and from the center.
•    Interpreter(s) must adhere to the policies and procedures of the center at all times while on campus.
•    Interpreter(s) must be comfortable providing support to the intellectually disabled (including those with dual-diagnosis and co-existing mental disorders); individuals residing at the center are court-ordered to the facilities, and may experience maladaptive behaviors, including self- injurious behavior (sib), stereotypic behavior, and aggressive and destructive behavior.
•    Interpreters are not expected to respond to direct address by the deaf individual or other individuals; interpreters shall remain neutral and not engage in any conversation with the patient except to interpret when needed.
•    Services shall be provided in a group “cottage” setting with other intellectually disabled individuals (and state-employed staff) who are not deaf.
•    Interpreters will receive instruction on how to safely remove themselves from the environment in the event of a resident's behavior and incident.
•    The assigned interpreter(s) must work with the deaf individual to gain an understanding of that individual’s own version of sign language, as the staff and residents of the center are not skilled or trained in ASL.
•    For special circumstances, such as off-ground medical and dental appointments or community outings, the assigned interpreter shall be required to accompany the deaf individual to whom they are assigned; the interpreter shall be required to ride with the deaf individual and their assigned staff in the state vehicle so that they may provide translation services during transportation to the destination. 
•    Community outings may include activities such as bowling, visiting a local park, seeing a movie at a local movie theater, or attending a weekend church service.
•    Interpreters may also be required to provide services for individuals who need to appear in court, whether virtually (at the facility) or in-person (off-grounds).
•    Any interpreter providing translation services during a court proceeding will not be required to interpret the law, but to convey what is being said to and by the individual.
•    The interpreters will be providing services in a healthcare setting; universal infection control precautions are required.
•    Interpreters will not be permitted to use personal electronic devices (laptops, tablets, cell phones) while on-site, including as a tool to assist with communication.
•    Interpreters must sign in upon arrival and sign out prior to departure from the facility.
•    Interpreters will receive any additional required instruction from the onsite contract monitor (“cottage manager”) and their designee.
•    Interpreters shall not provide any individual with any of their personal or business information, such as home and business address, home and business telephone or cellular numbers, etc. 
•    Interpreters may not give any individual gifts or any items not approved in advance by the contract monitor.
•    Taking any photographs or videos inside the campus or of the premises, individuals, or staff is prohibited.