sign language student signing

Student volunteer interpreters

Ensure your event is both accessible and welcoming to everyone, with the support of our student volunteers from VCC's sign language interpretation program.

Learn more

Need a student volunteer interpreter?

The faculty, staff and students of the VCC Sign Language Interpretation program value the rights of Deaf, hard-of-hearing and Deaf-Blind people to have access to communication, information and participation in all aspects of life. Sign language interpreting services are an integral part of such access.

Suitability

Students provide free interpreting service for the opportunity to apply skills they are learning in their college courses. Your requests for student interpreters help prepare them to become skilled professional interpreters.

Students do not provide volunteer interpreting services where professional interpreters are typically employed.

Examples of the kind of events where students may provide interpreting include:

  • Family reunions, celebrations.
  • Social events.
  • Co-op housing meetings.
  • Community activities.
  • Cub Scout meetings, activities.
  • Some Deaf children's activities.
  • Some children's activities that Deaf parents wish to attend.

Please contact us to confirm the suitability of your event.

An ASL sign language interpreter dressed as a princess is signing for a little girl at the party

ASL sign language interpreter signing for a video shoot

Availability

Students are available to provide volunteer interpreting services only when they are not in classes.  Students are generally not available from mid-December to the end of February each year.

Contact

Please make your request at least two weeks in advance of the event and include the following information:

  • Description of event
  • Location
  • Date and time (start and finish time)
  • Contact person’s name and email address

All requests are reviewed by program faculty.

For more information or to request service, contact intr@vcc.ca.