What is the Transforming Interpreting Maine (TIME) Project?
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The Transforming Interpreting Maine (TIME) project was initiated by the State of Maine to understand the current American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting services in Maine. The project aims to find ways to improve these services to enhance outcomes for Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing people in Maine.
Key Objectives
The TIME Project will:
- Gather information to understand the current state of ASL interpreting services and find gaps or challenges.
- Write a report that outlines the findings and gives recommendations for improving ASL interpreting services, based on input from the community.
- Determine priority areas and develop a high-level plan for how Maine can address interpreting concerns raised by the community,
Community Involvement
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Are you a/an:
- Deaf, DeafBlind, or Hard of Hearing person?
- ASL/English, Deaf/CDI, or trilingual interpreter?
- Interpreter trainer or educator?
- Interpreting agency employee?
- Business or organization that hires interpreters?
- Family or friend of a Deaf, DeafBlind, or Hard of Hearing person?
- Organization, business, or service provider who may interact with Deaf, DeafBlind, or Hard of Hearing people in your work?
If you answered YES to any of the above, we need YOUR involvement in this project! Get involved by signing up to take our upcoming survey or participate in a future focus group by clicking here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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About the Project
Who is leading TIME?
- This project was initiated by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and is facilitated by a Steering Committee, which includes representatives from state agencies and community organizations, including:
- Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
- Maine Department of Education (DOE)
- Maine Department of Labor (DOL)
- Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation (DPFR)
- Maine Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing & Late Deafened
- Maine Association of the Deaf (MeAD)
- Maine Sign Language Interpreting Committee
- DHHS has contracted with Innivee Strategies, a Deaf-owned and led organizational and leadership development company, to support this project. Innivee Strategies brings extensive experience working with states, Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing communities, interpreters, and licensing bodies on similar initiatives.
- You! Community involvement and participation are crucial to achieving the TIME project goals. Please click here to express interest in participating in the survey, focus group(s), and/or an interview. You can also contact Innivee Strategies directly by emailing TIME@innivee.com
What role will Innivee Strategies have in the TIME project?
To understand where interpreter shortages are the biggest challenge, Innivee Strategies will speak with Maine organizations and people who use ASL interpreting services. This will include interviews, focus groups, and a survey with ASL interpreters, Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing people, interpreting agencies, interpreter educators, and organizations that hire interpreters.
Innivee Strategies will write a report that highlights the input from organizations and community members in Maine, and make recommendations that may be relevant based on what is learned. They will then work with the Steering Committee to create a plan to put these ideas into action. Innivee Strategies will be part of the project until March 2025. After that, the Steering Committee will continue this work.
How were members of the steering committee selected?
The steering committee for the TIME project were chosen through a group process. The goal was to include people who are affected by ASL interpreter services in the state. The committee includes professionals from state agencies, ASL interpreters, Deaf and Hard of Hearing community members, and people from community organizations. The steering committee brings diverse knowledge, experience, and passion to this project. The committee will gather information, make decisions, and set standards that match the needs of the community and state rules.
How is the TIME project funded?
The TIME project was funded as part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) Emergency Response Grant (SERG) in response to the Lewiston tragedy on October 25, 2023. Learn more here. There is additional funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA, under Section 9817) Federal Medicaid state funding.
Project Timeline & Progress
What is the project timeline?
The TIME project has several steps that will take place from August 2024 to March 2025. Innivee Strategies will facilitate these steps, which are divided into four phases:
[Phase 1] July - September 2024
- Research current ASL interpreting standards in Maine and in other states
- Innivee Strategies visits Maine to explain the TIME project and collects contact information from people who want to be involved
[Phase 2] October - November 2024
- Collect community input and experiences through a survey, focus groups, and interviews
[Phase 3] December 2024 - January 2025
- Analyze the results from the survey, focus groups, and interviews
- Create and share a report that shows the findings
- Highlight the input from organizations and community members in Maine and make recommendations that may be relevant based on what is learned
[Phase 4] February - March 2025
- DHHS, the steering committee, workgroups, and Innivee Strategies work together to determine next steps and priorities, based on the findings from the report and community input
How will progress on the TIME project be reported or shared?
Progress on the TIME project will be reported to the Steering Committee and shared on the TIME project web page. For questions, please email TIME@innivee.com.
Where can I find updates or more information about the TIME project?
Progress on the TIME project will be shared here on the TIME project web page. For questions, please email TIME@innivee.com.
Project Importance and Impact
Why is this project important?
The TIME project is important because Maine has a serious shortage of American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters. This shortage makes it harder for Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing residents to get access to the services they need. By learning more about these shortages, especially in areas like Northern Maine, the project can find ways to increase the number of ASL interpreters and keep the ones already working in the state.
What areas will the TIME project focus on?
By collecting information from people and organizations in Maine, the TIME project wants to find ways to improve ASL interpreting in the state. For example, the project will look at how to:
- Promote ASL in K-12 schools to support ASL interpreters and Deaf teachers who teach ASL.
- Review licensure and certification rules for both hearing and Deaf ASL interpreters to keep high standards while removing unnecessary barriers.
- Increase enrollment in interpreter training programs (ITPs) and offer more professional development opportunities, like mentorships, apprenticeships, or specializations in legal and mental health interpreting.
- Set clear guidelines for checking a person's fluency in ASL to make it easier to enter the ASL interpreting profession and other fields that use ASL.
How will the TIME project impact existing ASL interpreting services in Maine?
Recommendations for changes to ASL interpreter certification will be based on input from the community, collected through surveys, focus groups, and interviews, and included in the TIME final report. Research on other states similar to Maine and data from Maine residents will help guide these recommendations and the creation of a long-term plan. Any changes to ASL interpreter certification will be addressed in Phase 4 of the project and carried out by the Steering Committee.
How will the TIME project support the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing community beyond interpreting services?
While the main goal of this project is to improve interpreting services, Innivee Strategies will also collect other information about community needs. Your participation will help us find ways to improve communication access and inclusion in areas like education, healthcare, and jobs. The TIME project will also promote awareness of Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing people among organizations and service providers.
What will happen with this project after March 2025?
The Steering Committee will continue to guide the action plan based on the project’s recommendations. This includes checking on progress, seeing how well the changes are working, and making changes if needed. The findings and recommendations will be shared with relevant groups to keep improving ASL interpreting services. The project’s impact will be reviewed, and ongoing efforts will focus on solving any remaining problems and creating long-term benefits for the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing communities.
How will the success of the TIME project be measured?
The success of the TIME project will be measured by how well the recommendations from community members are put into action and how much they improve ASL interpreting services in Maine. Success will be tracked using information collected during the project. Signs of success might include having more qualified interpreters, better training and certification processes for interpreters, and higher satisfaction among Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing residents with interpreting services. Regular progress reports, community feedback, and work with the Steering Committee will help measure the project’s impact.
Getting Involved
How can I become involved with the TIME project?
Are you a/an:
- Deaf, DeafBlind, or Hard of Hearing person?
- ASL/English, Deaf/CDI, or trilingual interpreter?
- Interpreter trainer or educator?
- Interpreting agency employee?
- Business or organization that hires interpreters?
- Family or friend of a Deaf, DeafBlind, or Hard of Hearing person?
If you answered YES to any of the above, we need YOUR involvement in this project! Get involved by signing up to take our upcoming survey or participate in a future focus group here: https://innivee.typeform.com/TIME-interest?typeform-source=www.google.com
Is it too late to become involved with TIME?
No! You can participate in the project survey, a focus group(s), or an interview until November 30, 2024. If the November 30 deadline has passed and you still wish to participate, please contact TIME@innvee.com. Your involvement is encouraged and needed throughout this project.
I want to participate in a focus group. What should I expect?
Focus groups will be held both online and in person, giving participants flexibility. Each group will be small and will use both American Sign Language (ASL) and English to ensure everyone can communicate easily. Your name and any identifying information will be kept private and only seen by Innivee Strategies. All information shared will be used only for the TIME project.
Besides joining a focus group, you can also take part by filling out our survey. This is another way to share your experiences and ideas.
For questions or concerns about accessing a focus group or the online survey, please contact TIME@innvee.com.
I want to take the survey. What should I expect?
The survey will be available online in both English and ASL. The survey should take only 5-10 minutes to finish. Your name and any identifying information will be kept private and only seen by Innivee Strategies. All information shared will only be used for the TIME project. If you're interested, you can also participate in a focus group to share your ideas and experiences.
Can I join the steering committee for the TIME project?
We appreciate your interest! The committee has been established and is not accepting any new members. We encourage you to stay involved by sharing your experience through surveys, focus groups, or by contacting us directly at TIME@innivee.com. Your feedback is important and will help make sure the project is a success.
Will there be community meetings or opportunities for public input?
This project is centered on the Maine Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing and interpreting communities. We need your feedback. Innivee Strategies will be visiting Maine from September 24-28 (Deaf Awareness Week), to meet different organizations and community members. You can connect with Innivee Strategies at the Deaf Culture Festival in Falmouth on Sunday, September 28, or by emailing TIME@innivee.com.
The best way to provide input is through the project survey, a focus group, or interview. You can email TIME@innivee.com to request community meetings or share ideas to improve involvement from Maine residents.
How will the TIME project ensure that various perspectives and input are included throughout?
We are committed to including the full diversity of the communities impacted by ASL interpretation. The TIME project will gather information from a wide range of community members, including Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing individuals, ASL interpreters, interpreting agencies, educators, and organizations that hire interpreters. Through interviews, focus groups, and surveys, we will make sure that diverse perspectives are seen and reflected in the project’s results and recommendations. Our Steering Committee, which includes representatives from state agencies and community organizations, will guide this inclusive process to ensure all perspectives are considered.
How will this project ensure accessibility for all community members?
All focus groups will be facilitated in American Sign Language with English interpretation, and the survey will be offered in English and ASL. We are committed to making sure all participants can access the information. Should you need specific accommodations in order to participate, please contact TIME@innivee.com.