The Queensland Deaf Society Inc (QDS) is the primary provider of NAATI accredited Auslan/English interpreters in Queensland. [NAATI is the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.] QDS offers a Sign Language interpreting service to facilitate communication between Deaf or hard of hearing and hearing people in many situations including community, medical, legal, vocational, educational, business, police and mental health environments.
To ensure quality of service, QDS employs interpreters accredited by NAATI at either Para-professional or Interpreter level.
Interpreting is where one language Australian Sign Language (Auslan) is transferred into another language (English) and vice versa. An Auslan interpreter acts as a communication and cultural bridge between Deaf and hearing people. Members of the Deaf community who use Auslan see themselves as a linguistic minority group, much in the same way as many Australians from diverse ethnic communities.
Many people get confused with the terms interpreter and translator. Translators focus on the written word- they transfer written text from one language to another. Interpreters focus on the spoken word and sign language.
In order to provide equal access to a Deaf person, your service / organisation is required to appoint a sign language interpreter. Providing an interpreter ensures that the Deaf person and your organisation can participate in the appointment on equal terms.
The Queensland government has recognised the requirement for you to provide Auslan interpreting services through the development of the Language Services Policy of Queensland 1998. There are some laws that also advocate for the provision of interpreting services, including the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 and the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Commonwealth).
Other important reasons to book an interpreter include
You can contact QDS to book an interpreter for almost any situation. QDS has a designated booking officer that will allocate an interpreter to the request from service providers.
Click on the link below "Interpreter Request Form", to fill in and return by fax to QDS as soon as possible. Please note: for workplace, health and safety reasons, two interpreters may need to be booked for appointments that are scheduled for 2 hours or more duration.
Please do not hesitate to make contact with QDS to obtain further information on interpreting or an information sheet.
Ph: 07 3892 8500
TTY: 07 3892 8501
FAX: 07 3392 8511
Email: qds@qds.org.au