UNR: Also offers only a meager amount of staggered ASL courses, levels 1-4. WNC: has traditionally been the only campus to offer levels 5 and 6, but I am unsure whether they still do so. They offer two courses on interpreting skills; however, none of the campuses in Northern Nevada are offering anything like a comprehensive ITP. (I taught ASL for several years at TMCC and was able to generate a high level of excitement about the profession. My top three students are now in ITPs in Oregon and California. They were unable to take levels 5 & 6 in Nevada, so they completed those pre-requisites on their new campuses. Unfortunately, they do not plan to return to our state to work.) We need a place where learning sign is what enriches both hearing and Deaf communities, a program that produces not just good signers, but high quality interpreters - ones that will garner professional respect because they will know and understand the communities they work in. A robust ITP operating in Northern NV could aim to put three new interpreters into the field for each year, and will definitely flood the area with aspiring learners and baby-interpreters. I believe that a high quality program, with stringent standards, and strong Deaf community support will create the quality interpreters we need. With the establishment of a comprehensive ITP, I think we will see big changes in the quality of life for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals in Northern Nevada. Thank you for considering this idea as a part of your vision for the future of Nevada’s Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and signing communities. Sincerely, Andrea Juillerat-Olvera Sign Language Interpreter 1355 Tioga Way Reno, NV 89503 775-313-6154
UNR: Also offers only a meager amount of staggered ASL courses, levels 1-4. WNC: has traditionally been the only campus to offer levels 5 and 6, but I am unsure whether they still do so. They offer two courses on interpreting skills; however, none of the campuses in Northern Nevada are offering anything like a comprehensive ITP. (I taught ASL for several years at TMCC and was able to generate a high level of excitement about the profession. My top three students are now in ITPs in Oregon and California. They were unable to take levels 5 & 6 in Nevada, so they completed those pre-requisites on their new campuses. Unfortunately, they do not plan to return to our state to work.) We need a place where learning sign is what enriches both hearing and Deaf communities, a program that produces not just good signers, but high quality interpreters - ones that will garner professional respect because they will know and understand the communities they work in. A robust ITP operating in Northern NV could aim to put three new interpreters into the field for each year, and will definitely flood the area with aspiring learners and baby-interpreters. I believe that a high quality program, with stringent standards, and strong Deaf community support will create the quality interpreters we need. With the establishment of a comprehensive ITP, I think we will see big changes in the quality of life for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals in Northern Nevada. Thank you for considering this idea as a part of your vision for the future of Nevada’s Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and signing communities. Sincerely, Andrea Juillerat-Olvera Sign Language Interpreter 1355 Tioga Way Reno, NV 89503 775-313-6154