Developments

This spring has arrived with many new faces in the Senate, House and the Governor’s office. Along with the changes in the legislature, the Ohio Interpreter Standards Committee (OISC) has had several changes as well. Due to increasing responsibilities at regional and national levels, Ben Hall and Claudia Bergquist have stepped down off the co-chair positions on the committee although their devotion and commitment to the OISC continues. Richard Huebner (President of the Ohio School for the Deaf Alumni Association – OSDAA) and Carol Gregg (interpreter in private practice) have stepped forward as the new co-chairs.

While the past legislative assembly did not prove to be the time for House Bill 205, we did have success. We were able to introduce the Bill to the House of Representatives, educate them on the needs and concerns in Ohio and receive their overwhelming support for the bill. It was in the Senate that we hit our major opposition (and only opposition). The Ohio Department of Education’s Division of Special Education raised strong opposition to the passage of the interpreter standards bill. After hearing testimony and concerns, the Senate put any further action of the bill on hold. President of the Senate, Senator Finan has persistently resisted attempts to discuss his strong opposition to the bill. Without his permission, the bill will never reach a Senate room for testimony from the citizens of Ohio.

The goals and purpose of the OISC remain strong. During the last three months of 1998, during the time of elections and legislative recesses, the committee had been discussing new strategies. As of April of 1999, we have sought out and are receiving confirmation of our new sponsor of the bill. After that, we will seek to have the bill introduced into a Senate Committee. At that point, the Ohio Interpreter Bill will receive a new number. This will be where we will be needing a strong show of support from everyone.

As always, the desire for Deaf community and interpreter community involvement remains strong. One approach to this involvement is to increase the awareness of current events by providing summaries of OISC meetings. This is done through an e-mail mass mailing list. If you have not received any information from the OISC since January, send an e-mail message to Carol Gregg at the e-mail address below. She will add your name and address to the list.