#United States #Salt Lake City #Sorenson #Deaf Interpreter Academy #Synergy Program

Sorenson's Landmark Year in Interpreter Education

In 2024, Sorenson, the largest private employer of sign language interpreters globally, celebrated a momentous year in interpreter training and education. The company provided an impressive 30,000 hours of training to over 4,000 interpreters, encompassing both Sorenson staff and aspiring professionals from the community. With its extensive array of training sessions totaling more than 700, participants delved into 120 diverse topics, ranging from onboarding new interpreters to advanced workshops on critical areas such as ethical decision-making, self-care strategies, and linguistic proficiency in various languages.

A Vision of Excellence

Paget Alves, CEO of Sorenson, expressed pride in the achievements of the education and professional development team, stating that they have set new standards in interpreter education and professional growth. Alves emphasized the company's mission to equip interpreters with the necessary skills to deliver exceptional service to Deaf individuals in varied and high-pressure situations like Video Relay Service (VRS) and Video Remote Interpreting (VRI).

Commitment to Development

Central to Sorenson's mission is the Sorenson Deaf Interpreter Academy (DIA), aimed at enhancing career paths within the interpreting field. This initiative offers high-level training tailored for Deaf interpreters, focusing on essential competencies and collaboration techniques between Deaf and hearing interpreters. DIA has made significant strides in 2024 by supporting over 100 Deaf interpreters through monthly training programs and cohort sessions. Additionally, their online resource repository provides crucial information on team dynamics and skills-building materials for interpreters, educators, and the broader community.

Strengthening Future Generations

In partnership with colleges and universities nationwide, Sorenson's Synergy Program fortifies the development of future interpreters by providing customized learning opportunities throughout the year. This includes distinct webinars, observation opportunities, and resources for faculty to bolster professional development. Over the past year, the Synergy Program successfully conducted over 200 webinars, reaching more than 900 interpreting students from 98 academic institutions.

Experiential Learning Opportunities

Amid these advancements, Sorenson has also broadened experiential learning for ASL/English interpreters, introducing real-life, scenario-based practice through deliberate practice labs and mock interpreting sessions. Laura Jones, Senior VP of Global Interpreting Services, described the significance of these experiential opportunities since the educational landscape shifted due to the pandemic in 2020. This practical training approach significantly enhances the skills and expertise of both new and seasoned interpreters, ensuring improved communication and understanding for all parties involved.

Looking Ahead

Sorenson's unwavering dedication to advancing inclusivity and growing professional capabilities within the interpreting community resonates throughout its core mission. As 2024 draws to a close, the company is poised to continue its impactful training and development initiatives in 2025, ready to adapt to the evolving needs of the Deaf communities it serves. The journey so far breathes life into Sorenson's commitment to fostering an environment that celebrates diversity, equity, and accessibility through powerful communication solutions.

To learn more about Sorenson's initiatives and how they strive to create inclusive communication channels, visit their website at sorenson.com.