HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Courts today released an informational video for court users who are deaf or hard of hearing seeking a court interpreter.

“Providing language services for individuals who speak limited English or who are deaf or hard of hearing is essential to ensure that they are able to fully participate in judicial proceedings and court services, programs and activities in which their rights and interests are at stake,” said Osvaldo Avilés, Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC) Interpreter Program administrator.

AOPC Court Access Coordinator Mary Vilter, Esq. added, “We have several resources available on our website, including a brochure entitled ‘Do you need a court interpreter,’ but for the first time we now have a video version available in sign language and closed captioning.”

Involved with the planning of the video, the AOPC’s Monitoring and Evaluation Team (MET) is charged with implementing and evaluating the Language Access Plan for the Pennsylvania Courts. The members include common pleas and magisterial district judges, interpreters, language access coordinators, attorneys and district court administrators.

Certified sign language interpreters from AOPC’s interpreter roster signed and voiced the video, which is also captioned, in order to ensure maximum accessibility for deaf or hard of hearing court users.

Produced by AOPC Communications, the video explains:

— How to request a court interpreter;

— What to expect;

— How to communicate with court staff outside the courtroom; and

— Who is qualified to be a court interpreter.

The video is posted on the Language Access and Interpreter Program page of the www.pacourts.us website.