Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you’re new to seeking services, or you’re just curious how BAII is different than working with an agency, these FAQs should help. If you have further questions, please send us an email: info@bayareaindependentinterpreters.com.
What does BAII do? Are you an agency?
BAII is not an agency. Each individual on the list works as a freelance service provider. By collaborating with other independent colleagues, we offer sign language interpreting for those who want to work directly with the service provider. This collaborative effort allows the consumer to get services at far less expensive rates than going through an agency. By working directly with requestors, independent interpreters avoid any potential issues created by California’s AB 5.
Can anyone use this site?
Yes! Any entity looking for an interpreter is welcome to use this network. However, this site should not be used to find interpreters for work that will be booked through an agency. Keep in mind that while interpreters do work pro bono under specific circumstances, this site is solely for hiring paid, professional interpreters. Please see our resources page for information on where to seek pro bono services.
What is the difference between a referral agency coordinating interpreters and me contracting directly with interpreters?
Referral agencies are a vital and necessary part of the interpreting ecosystem. Agencies have the infrastructure to handle a greater volume of requests and to fill large, ongoing contracts. For example, a school district or government agency that has known, consistent interpreting needs is well-served by going through an agency. However, maintaining that infrastructure is expensive which means agencies need to charge rates that are much higher than what an individual interpreter earns. This can be a burden for individuals or organizations that have one-time, or sporadic interpreting needs. Working directly with an independent interpreter can provide cost savings to the organization without sacrificing quality of service.
Why can’t interpreters just work as staff members for a referral agency?
They can, and in other parts of the country, working as a staff interpreter is common practice. Historically, the service model in this area has been for interpreters to work as independent contractors. This model has continued since agencies do not want the overhead that comes with having a large staff. One contributing factor is that interpreting work is somewhat seasonal, with lulls at the end of the year and during the summer. Another factor is that many interpreters prefer the flexibility of maintaining their own schedules. While there is nothing barring interpreters from working in a full-time capacity for an agency, it isn’t common in the Bay Area.
How do I contact the interpreters?
You can fill out the contact form to send a request to all of the interpreters in our network. You may also browse the interpreter profiles and contact interpreters individually.
How much will the interpreter cost?
BAII does not set rates or have rate information for individual interpreters. One of the issues that California’s AB 5 addresses is that independent contractors must be allowed to set their own rates without input from any third party such as an agency. When you contact an interpreter within our network the interpreter will negotiate their rates and terms with you. It may be helpful to know that interpreters in this area generally charge between $50-$75 per hour with a two-hour minimum. These rates may be higher or lower depending on: the type of job, location, date and time, the interpreter’s qualifications, notice in advance, recording fees, time spent preparing, etc. Other costs an interpreter may bill for include mileage, parking, and/or tolls.
How do I know if the interpreter is qualified?
Our field has a national certifying body that lists our credentials on its website. To find an interpreter's publicly listed certification level, please go to www.rid.org. Look for ‘Search Tools’ in the top banner, and choose 'Search the Registry' from the dropdown. Some interpreters in this network may not yet have achieved national certification. Others may hold certifications for specialized work, (you can learn more about the EIPA here), or through a state-based exam. Non-certified interpreters will have that status noted on their profiles. Each of us brings diverse and extensive experiences to our work. We rely on the integrity of all of our members to only bid on jobs they are certain fit their skill set, knowledge, and ability. We can gladly send resumes upon request.
What is the benefit of hiring a team of two interpreters instead of just one interpreter?
Research shows that cognitive processing in interpreters can begin to degrade after twenty minutes depending on the complexity, speed, or level of familiarity with the topic. This decline in processing leads to loss of information and accuracy of the interpretation over time. Interpreting is also a physically intensive task. Interpreters working long stretches are at a high risk for repetitive motion injuries. For jobs that involve more than one hour of continuous interpreting, the best practice and industry standard is to have two interpreters so that they may spell each other. The provider who is not actively interpreting supports the active interpreter by monitoring the interpretation for accuracy and providing supplementary information to the active interpreter.
What if no one responds to my request?
After sending an email to the network, there may be a short time when no one responds. Most of us are working during business hours. Some interpreting jobs occur at locations where access to email is limited. Interpreters try to answer all work-related email in less than one business day. Only the people who are available to take your request will reply. To get a quicker answer, try emailing one person at a time. We truly value your service requests and will reply as soon as possible. If you don’t hear back within 24-48 hours, please feel free to send another request.
Why is it necessary to give advance notice?
The demand for sign language interpreters is very high. On any given day there is more need for services than there are available interpreters. Our schedules fill up quickly, so the sooner the better, in terms of finding interpreters for an assignment. The general wisdom is to make your request at least two weeks prior to your appointment, meeting, or event. Ideally, you will start your search as soon as you know an interpreter will be needed. However, it never hurts to try! There are certainly occasions when you can find an interpreter for last-minute jobs, due to other job cancellations, a break in schedule, or simply deciding to work on a day off.
Will the interpreter come to me?
Yes. Until recently, a vast majority of interpreting work was done in person and on-site. As things begin to reopen, more interpreters will be traveling to client sites. Interpreters are also available for Video Remote Interpreting (VRI). You can use VRI interpreters through video conferencing platforms like Zoom, or peer-to-peer apps like FaceTime.
Can I filter my requests to specific interpreters?
At this time our network does not provide options to filter your requests to certain pools of interpreters. We are looking forward to a 2.0 release that will include features such as this. If you have other requests for enhancing our platform, please send them to us using our contact page.
What languages do the interpreters know?
All of the interpreters in the network have English and American Sign Language as working languages. Some interpreters may know other languages. You can check the interpreter bios page to find this information. You may also note in your request that you are looking for a trilingual interpreter to find the best fit for your needs.
What is the difference between a Deaf and hearing interpreter?
The major difference here comes down to a linguistic and cultural familiarity with a client. A hearing interpreter may have ASL as their native language, lending their skill set to be best suited for certain settings and clients. However, many hearing interpreters acquire ASL as a second language which by and large makes their interpretation appear more accented. Whereas a Deaf interpreter shares a lived experience and fluency in ASL, so they use the hearing interpreter as a pivot between the parties. This allows for a more coherent and fluent message to be presented. Please visit this page for more information on working with a team of Deaf and hearing interpreters.
What is AB 5 and how does it affect interpreters?
“California Assembly Bill 5 or AB 5 is a state statute that expands a landmark Supreme Court of California case, Dynamex Operations West, Inc. v. Superior Court ("Dynamex").[1] In that case, the court held that most workers are employees, ought to be classified as such, and the burden of proof for classifying individuals as independent contractors belongs to the hiring entity. AB 5 entitles workers classified as employees to greater labor protections, such as minimum wage laws, sick leave, and unemployment and workers' compensation benefits, which do not apply to independent contractors.[2] Concerns over employee misclassification, especially in the gig economy, drove support for the bill, but it remains divisive.[3]
The law codifies and expands the scope of the ABC test, which was first established by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Legislature on July 19, 2004. The test includes a three-prong assessment to determine if a worker was misclassified: (A) that “the individual is free from direction and control,” applicable both “under his contract for the performance of service and in fact,” (B) that “the service is performed outside the usual course of business of the employer,” and (C) that the “individual is customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation, profession, or business of the same nature as that involved in the service performed.” [4][5]“
In response to the passage of AB 5, several industries began to lobby Sacramento for exemptions. The industries that were granted exemptions tended to have the following characteristics:
the independent contractors had the wherewithal to set or negotiate their own prices, and
the independent contractors had access to direct communication with customers.
Most interpreting agencies fail to meet the tests laid out in AB5 in that providing interpreting services is their usual course of business and they exert a high degree of direction and control over how the service is performed. While interpreters working with agencies do have nominal control to set their own rates, the reality is that agencies typically control the rates by refusing to negotiate and instead, offering rates for jobs on a ‘take it or leave it’ basis. Because of these facts, interpreting provision in the area faces an uncertain future. Agencies will need to change how they operate or work to change the law. In any case, now is a great time to hire your interpreter directly!
What is AB 2257?
In response to AB 5 there was a public push to call for an exemption for independent contractors working as sign language interpreters from the sweeping language used in the original bill. Although AB 5 has certainly changed the landscape for independent contractors by and large, interpreters have been afforded the relief of not having to pass the ABC test and instead rely on the Borello precedent.
This allows for the longstanding practice of interpreters to function as independent contractors who may contract through referral agencies without having to change their employment status with that referral agency in order to maintain tax compliance. The interpreting profession however, was not named in the list of professional services. Here is a link to a deep dive on "How to Live with AB 5/2257" from the Language Access Professionals Association.