Michael Havelin 's

Sign Language Interpreting Page

It's an art, not a science.

Initially trained at NTID (National Technical Institute for the Deaf) in Rochester, New York in 1972 and RID certified several years later, I've been interpreting for more than 34 years. Gosh, but the time flies.

Over the years, at various times I've interpreted in Western New York State, New York City, Northern New Jersey, Southeastern and Central Florida, Washington D.C., suburban Maryland, Northern and Southwestern Virginia, Western North Carolina, and most of Georgia. I'm now living and practising in Asheville, NC.

I hold RID certifications IC/TC and CT, as well as a full NC Interpreting License.

Click on the License to see it full-screen.==>>

Some of My Interpreting Experience

Vocational - Voc rehab intake and counseling, work evaluations, work readiness programs, vocational training programs in-house and elsewhere, job applications, on-the-job training, hirings and firings, disciplinary hearings, annual performance reviews.
Educational - Elementary school through doctoral degree programs, IEPs, teacher/parent conferences, deaf students, deaf teachers, deaf parents, (no deaf administrators!), disciplinary meetings, awards and graduations, classes in subject matter ranging from genetics, psychology, and computers to phlebotomy, cosmetology, and janitorial.
Medical - Office visits, emergency rooms, medical procedures ranging from blood tests, innoculations and boils to endoscopy and MRI, surgical recovery, broken necks, occasional blood.
Psychological - Testing of many types, patient intake, counseling (one-time and ongoing), meds checks, out-patient clinics, lock-down psych units.
Legal - Arrests, drunk tanks, first appearances & probable cause hearings, office and courthouse consultations with attorneys and other legal personnel, depositions, traffic ticket pleadings, bail hearings, trials, civil marriages, short-term and long-term incarceration of adults and teens.
Meetings - Large or small, corporate or small business, board rooms or closet-sized offices, smooth or heated exchanges. I own several ties.
I don't do religious or theatrical interpreting.

Some Useful and/or Relevant Sign Language Related Links

LSRID - Land O'Sky Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf - My Asheville & Western NC local interpreter organization.

NCRID - North Carolina Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf - North Carolina's state interpreter professional organization.

RID - National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf - Provides professional interaction with other working interpreters, a monthly news magazine, our Code of Professional Conduct, and interpreter certification and certificate maintenance services.

NAD - National Association of the Deaf - The most significant national fraternal and social organization of and for the deaf. Provides numerous member services. Certifies interpreters.