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Division of Events Management
NIH Events Management

Contact Information

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Linda Kiefer

Program Manager /COR
301-827-3252
InterpretingServices@ors.od.nih.gov

We look forward to hearing from you and welcome your feedback!

ORS breadcrumb EMB > Interpreting Services

Interpreting Services

ASL Interpreting Service BannerNIH strives to be an inclusive workplace free from barriers to access for all. 

The Office of Research Services partners with Access Interpreting to provide centrally funded sign language interpreting and CART (real-time transcription) services to the NIH Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.  

Services are provided upon request as a reasonable accommodation to D/HH individuals, including employees, contractors, patients, and visitors, to participate in NIH related events and activities, per section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. 

All service requests must be entered in the secure Access Interpreting (usked.com) portal or emailed to the scheduling team at mailto:nih@ainterpreting.com.

NOTE: All NIH email account holders have access to the portal and can enter requests for themselves or on behalf of others who may or may not have access.  

NIH Policy:

2206 - Sign Language Interpreter Policy
2204 - NIH Reasonable Accommodation Policy (Section J)

Services Include:

  • American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting (Basic and Scientific)*
  • Real-time Transcription (CART)*       
  • Virtual Interpreting for popular meeting platforms

*Services can be provided onsite or remotely

 

How to Request Service

New Users: Click on the uSked Portal button and follow prompts to create a user account. For technical support or request a login ID, email nih@ainterpreting.com,

Exiting Users: Login to the uSked Portal to request a service, check the status, edit, or cancel a service request.

Clinical Center Staff: ASL interpreting and CART services for patients and families must be entered into the uSked Portal (not in CRIS) during normal business hours. Patients receive priority scheduling 24/7. For URGENT requests or services after hours, weekends, and holidays, email nih@ainterpreting.com or call 571-730-4330.NOTE: Information entered in CRIS will not be connected to uSked.

Other Language Services (NOT under this contract)

Spoken language interpreters for patients and their families with limited English proficiency are available upon request from the Social Work Department at 301-496-2792.

Spoken language and translation services are available from the Office of Equity Diversity and Inclusion (ED). Learn more at LASTI - About | Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (nih.gov).

Tips for Planning Events

When entering a request on behalf of someone else (including a patient), enter the name of the person requiring services, short description of event and media link to connect to event. Also include agenda, slides and any other information beneficial to our service providers.

Email the Access scheduling team at nih@ainterpreting.com with scheduling and technical questions or concerns.

Request services 3-5 days in advance, when possible, to ensure availability

Cancel services within 2 days of event, when possible, to avoid billable charges to NIH

NOTE: Service will not be provided for open events without at least one identified D/HH person planning to attend.

Reasonable Accommodation language to include in announcements and websites promoting your event, per NIH Policy 2206:

Sign language interpreting and CART services are available upon request to participate in this event. Individuals needing either of these services and/or other reasonable accommodations should contact [Event Coordinator's name, email, phone].  Requests should be made at least five days in advance. To access Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS), call 711.

Guidance for making events accessible.pdf 

Community Resources

FedRelay Services Transition to FCC - Nov 2021

Are You Really 508 Compliant? ORS News2Use, Summer 2021 Edition

Disability Etiquette:What We Say, How We Say It Matters

NIH Office of Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

National Association of the Deaf (NAD)external page

Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID)external page

Deaf in Government (DIG)external page

#IAmHHS: David Rice’s (NIH) Story of Service, Dedication & Discovery

Deaf News /Stories Worth Sharing

Deaf-Owned Pizzeria in DCexternal page

First Deaf-Owned East Coast Breweryexternal page

Starbucks Opens First “Signing Store” for Deaf and Hard of Hearing in DC!external page

BuzzFeed.com - Deaf Newsexternal page

iDeafNews.comexternal page