Miranda Aguilar is a sighted and hearing person that did volunteer work for Palmer. She is very passionate about the deaf blind community. We had the pleasure of interviewing her.
What inspired you to enroll in the Interpreter Preparation Program?
I started taking ASL at Cal State East Bay around 2011-2012 because one of my best friends was taking it at Chabot college in Hayward. I have family members that are Deaf and I don't see them often (every 3-5 years or so) and when I had been taking ASL for a year I saw them at a family gathering and they were so excited that I was learning and I could actually communicate with them. After that I wanted to add it as my major but all they had was a minor so I did that. My teacher always talked about how equal access to information is important and so I decided to apply for the IPP at Ohlone College after I graduated.
What kind of things do you learn in the program?
We learn about how the interpreter process works, we improve our signing and receptive skills, we learn about different language levels of people and different variations of signs, we expand vocabulary, learn about the culture and we learn how to work with Deaf people and Deaf Blind people.
What did you do in college that was ASL related?
I took ASL for about 2-3 years and I also volunteered as a TA for one of my ASL teachers after I finished my minor (to continue to improve my skills)
Did you do anything in high school?
I did not take any ASL in high school. All I knew was the alphabet.
What is the most important thing you have learned so far in the IP Program?
For myself I learned that self care is important going through such a tough program! But I think the most valuable lesson is that language varies from person to person and as a future interpreter it will be my job to fit into each individual's language needs and preferences.
What are your plans after you complete the program?
After I complete the program I plan on trying to find low risk interpreter jobs (meaning not hospitals or anything where information is REALLY SENSITIVE.) I plan on volunteering for DCARA (the Deaf center in San Leandro) as well as for a few Deaf Blind people I know so I can build my language skills and experience.
Eventually I would like to get my masters in marriage and family therapy to become a counselor (one that can communicate with Deaf and or Deaf-Blind people without an interpreter!).
What are your thoughts about the technology/devices used nowadays to help deaf-blind people communicate and interact?
They seem really cool but I know they are very expensive.
Do you have any experience as an interpreter?
I have some experience as an interpreter. For several different events I have interpreted for three Deaf-Blind people and currently I'm volunteering for a little league team to interpret for the three Deaf boys on the team. One of the coaches was my mentor for a class I was taking and is allowing me to continue so I can get practice interpreting.
From your experience (having deaf family members) what would you say would be important for others to know, in regards to communication?
I would say that Deaf people and Deaf-Blind people are like all people, they simply need a different mode of communication. Each individual has their own way/preference and a lot of hearing people feel flustered and give up to easy when trying to communicate with someone who is Deaf and/or Deaf Blind. I feel patience is important and a willingness to step out of your comfort zone and try to communicate. It is easier for a hearing person to try and communicate in a language they CAN learn rather than expect someone who can't use your form of communication to do all the work. It might mean using a lot of acting and gesturing if you don't know ASL but people appreciate the effort you take to try and communicate. Also, They don't want pity, they want access to information.