PRESS RELEASE Council of Irish Sign Language Interpreters

established, 8th May 2011

New national Irish Sign Language Interpreting council formed at historic meeting in Limerick

For the first time since 2007, Ireland has a new national representative association representing Irish Sign Language interpreters. The Council of Irish Sign Language Interpreters (CISLI) had its debut meeting on Sunday in Limerick’s Deaf Community Centre, where interpreters from all over the country gathered to usher in a new era for the profession. The Council’s Steering Committee has worked extremely hard since last November in preparing for the new organisation. All 24 attendees resoundingly approved this work as a basis for going forward.

The organisation, with a new Mission Statement, Constitution and Code of Ethics, will seek to place interpreters themselves firmly back at the centre of decisions made about sign language interpreting in Ireland – in full partnership with the Deaf community. “We believe the proposed organisational structure is the best way forward for us to embark on together,” said Chairperson Caroline O’Leary. “It is time for the Deaf and interpreting communities to initiate governance of ISL interpreting matters in Ireland. We are the service users and providers, and together we can and will pool our expertise to become the professional consultants in ISL interpreting matters.”

A new Committee has been formed, including Chairperson Caroline O’Leary, of the initial Steering Committee; Vice-Chairperson, Frankie Berry; Secretary, Cormac Leonard; Treasurer, Darren Byrne; Student Representative, Sarah Sheridan; and Irish Deaf Society representatives, John Fennell and Wendy Murray. For more information, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The new members of CISLI. Left to right: Cormac Leonard (Secretary), Ray Greene, Tracey Daly, Ali Stewart, Frankie Berry (Vice-Chairperson), Debra McCabe, Mary Stringer, John Fennell (IDS Representative), Lisa Dunne, Helena Saunders, Caroline O’Leary (Chairperson), Eddie Redmond (IDS Representative and Facilitator), Darren Byrne (Treasurer), Evelyn Nolan-Conroy (Steering Committee), Jeanette Simms, Sarah Sheridan (Student Representative), Suzanne Carey, Wendy Murray (IDS Representative), Mary Guest, Christine Green, Jennifer Hubbard (Steering Committee), Mary Dermody (Steering Committee), Mairead Hegarty.

Contributions from Noel O'Connell and Fiona Foley to the steering committee are noted and appreciated.

Avidicus Symposium, London

Conference on remote interpreting and video conferencing in legal settings 17th - 19th February, 2011.  Research findings were presented on the experiences, linguistic changes, the impact of technology and location on the interpreting process.  Advantages and challenges were set out.  Technical specifications and minimum standards were set out.  Proceedings will follow.

CISLI - The new Professional Interpreting Representative Group

Interpreters meet with representatives of the Irish Deaf Community to discuss the way forward for the new professional body representing professional interpreting in Ireland.  Following several months of lead in work, it was agreed at the meeting that the new body will be called CISLI - the Council of Irish Sign Language Interpreters.  A Steering Group which will comprise of three hearing interpreters, a deaf interpreter and two representative of the Deaf Community from the IDS.  Caroline O'Leary, Mary Dermody, Evelyn Conroy and Noel O'Connell will form the steering group.  Two members of the IDS will be confirmed this week.  The steering group will draft a Constitution, and Joint Partnership Agreement with the IDS, the deaf representative organisation.  The next meeting will be held at the end of February 2011 with a view to voting on the proposed Constitution.  At this meeting it is expected that a committee will be elected.

EFSLI - AGM and annual conference,10th - 12th September, Edinburgh, Scotland

conference theme ...

The theme of the Conference is 'SYNERGY - Moving Forward Together'
We shall be looking back on the development of the profession of interpreters of signed languages, can we be satisfied that we are fully equipped for the challenges and changes the future will bring? Are the goals and values of interpreter practitioners and educators shared by providers and service users?
This conference will explore the missing links at both a micro and macro level, and encourage reflection on the skills and knowledge necessary to equip signed language interpreters from all parts of Europe for a constantly evolving environment  http://www.efsli2010.org.uk/

[uploaded 24-09-10]

ICED - 2010 International Congress on Education of the Deaf - An announcement that may change the future of Deaf Education

Clip from the IDS Website

Eddie Redmond updates in ISL on the announcement at the congress in Vancouver.   In a major turn around to oralism which was rubber stamped by this organisation (ICED) at the Milan conference in 1880, they now announce their regret for banning signed language in educational settings all over the world. See the Irish Deaf Society Website, news and announcements signed in ISL. http://www.irishdeafsociety.ie/

[uploaded 18-08-10]

IWA Drivers Rally in September. Information is also on their website www.iwa.ie/rally <http://www.iwa.ie/rally> .

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Citizens Information [uploaded 16-08-10]

Citizens Information have launched a new information service for people with hearing or speech impairment.  An online service called 'Live Advisor' is online to answer our questions Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

www.citizensinformation.ie/liveadvisor

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[uploaded 16-08-10]

Employability Service Galway website is fully accessible in ISL.  See:  http://employabilitygalway.ie/

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CSL New Website launched 16th August 2010.

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