Contact Interpreting Services

Voice: (619) 398-2488
VP: (619) 550-3464
Fax: (619) 398-2490
Request an Interpreter: click here

Why DCS?

We are a non profit agency and all of the money we earn is used to support services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.  Our agency is the primary one serving the Deaf community’s needs in both San Diego and Imperial Counties for over 30 years. We are members of NAD, RID and the California Coalition of Agencies Serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons.

ASL/English
Trilingual Interpreting: ASL/English/Spanish
Oral Interpreting
Low Vision
Tactile
Community
Educational

Advice on Using a Sign Language Interpreter

• Look at the person when signing/speaking to them through an interpreter.
• Look at the person who is signing/speaking to you. This may feel awkward at first since the message is coming through your interpreter.
• Address the person directly:
  Appropriate: "What is your date of birth?"
  Inappropriate: "Ask him his date of birth."
• When possible, please share any notes, outlines, or handouts with the interpreter in advance.
• If, during the assignment, you plan to turn down the lights, remember to leave enough lighting on the interpreter.
• The interpreter may ask for specific seating/positioning to facilitate the best viewing angles.
• Sign/Speak in your normal tone, at your normal pace. The interpreter will tell you if you need to pause or slow down.
• People sometimes read aloud, differently than they typically sign/speak. When reading extensively from written materials, consider supplying a copy to the audience and the interpreter. Be aware of the pace of your signing/speech.
• Be aware that the interpreter should interpret everything said. Avoid discussing subjects you don’t wish the other person to know.
• When separated from the person you are communicating with, avoid giving messages to the interpreter for later relay to the individual.
• Relax. If you are unsure of the appropriate way to proceed in a particular situation, just ask.

If the appointment has some flexibility we can recommend dates and times when we are more likely to be able to fulfill the request. 
There are many qualified interpreters, but often times the requests are on or near the same time and we have to allow for travel between appointments.
Be sure to schedule enough time for the appointments. Interpreters will need to leave at their scheduled time. If the interpreter is able to stay beyond the scheduled time you will be billed in half hour increments.
Check your dates and time to make sure we have the correct information on the request form.

Please contact DCS’s Sign Language Interpreting Service with as much advance notice as possible. We are equipped to provide interpreters for assignments ranging from an hour or less to multi-day events, including repetitive events (e.g., an appointment every Tuesday at 2:00 pm).Our regular office hours are from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific time, Monday through Friday. Requests may be made by telephone, email, or FAX. Be prepared to provide the following information:

• Requestor’s name, phone number, FAX number, email.
• Date, time, and duration of the interpreting assignment, as well as a detailed description of the physical location of the event, where to park, how to access the location, etc.
• A detailed description of the interpreting situation (e.g., doctor appointment).
• Names of the Deaf or hard of hearing consumers.
• Language needs (ASL, transliterated Signed English or PSE, oral interpreting, etc.)
• Name of preferred interpreter (we will strive to accommodate such requests).
• Name and phone number of a contact person at the service site.
• Billing information, including payment source, authorizer’s signature, address, phone number, credit card number, etc.
• Any other relevant information or special needs.