2023 Deaf. Blind. Limitless Conference

The interpreting profession has a sense of camaraderie unlike many other professions. As part of a human services profession we have the honor and privilege of being present at some of the most sacred moments in the lives of Deaf people. Yet, in spite of all this goodness, there is a darker, less desirable side to our profession. Some of the dark marks on our profession are lateral (or horizontal) violence, the absence of grace and compassion for our colleagues, and personal/professional comparisons. These are just a few of the “weeds” growing in the field of interpreting, however, it does not have to remain this way. This workshop will address being agents of change, deliberately building goodwill, and additional strategies to become undivided, whole practitioners for our own benefit and for the benefit of the people we serve.

Educational Objectives
Participants will be able to:
• Define horizontal violence and identify 1-4 negative behaviors that are often associated with horizontal
violence.
• Reflect, through group discussion, on various ways in which interpreters can deliberate build goodwill into the
interpreting community (participants will share 2-3 examples of ways to build goodwill).
• Provide 3-4 examples of lateral/horizontal violence, bullying, and verbal abuse and the application to the
interpreting profession.
• Demonstrate 1-2 ways interpreters can advocate for themselves and their colleagues through role play/group
discussion when lateral/horizontal violence is observed.

Target Audience: Interpreters at all levels.

This workshop offers 0.3 PS RID CEUs
*To be eligible for CEUs, participants must attend both Part 1 and Part 2 of this workshop)