Sign Language Interpreter Referral Services

The Vendor is required to provide interpreter referral services for businesses, educational programs, medical providers, state employees and the general public.
- Sign language interpreter referral service to provide services to all state in need of sign language interpreters to allow meetings, appointments, functions, etc. to be accessible to individuals who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing and utilize sign language as a primary means of communication.
- The interpreter referral service receives approximately 2,200 requests per year that lead to referrals totaling approximately 7,600 annual hours of interpreter time.
- The sign language interpreter referral service will meet the following service requirements for state consumers, eligible individuals, and the general public and at places of public accommodation:
•    Ensure the service is available at least 40 hours per week (except holidays), preferably during state business hours of 7:45 a.m. To 4:30 p.m., to assist agencies of the state, private businesses, and individuals in locating and scheduling appropriate sign language interpreters.
•    Develop and maintain an accessible website for state to request and book interpreter services.
•    To the greatest extent possible, assign interpreters based on the individual’s preferences.
•    Interpreters and number of requests filled; total interpreter hours; number and type of requests for information and technical assistance filled; list of public and private agencies requesting interpreter services.
•    Charge and collect fees for services from persons or entities that use sign language interpreter services.
•    Provide payments to interpreters following assignments, based on negotiated rates and terms.
- The sign language interpreter referral service will receive interpreter requests from all state (hearing, deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing) and will contact interpreters to provide communication access for medical, legal, employment, educational, civil and recreational situations.