What makes an ASL interpreter truly “Champ”? In this interactive workshop, we will explore this question through the lenses of both Deaf consumers and interpreter colleagues. Drawing on real-world experiences and community insights, we’ll examine how greatness in interpreting is defined, valued, and sometimes misunderstood.

Using Tenet 4 of the NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct—Respect for Consumers—as a guiding framework, we’ll explore how ethical practice involves not only delivering quality interpretation, but also honoring consumer preferences without reinforcing bias. Participants will engage in critical discussions that contrast skill-based excellence with the more subjective assessments often based on personality traits or interpersonal dynamics. While rapport and relatability are important, overemphasizing likability can blur the line between preference and proficiency—leading to bias, inequity, and professional gatekeeping.

Together, we’ll unpack how these dynamics shape interpreter feedback, hiring practices, and peer evaluations, and consider how to elevate standards that center linguistic accuracy, cultural competency, and ethical behavior—without sidelining the human aspects of our work. We’ll unpack how these dynamics shape hiring, team selection, and peer evaluation, and consider strategies to promote more equitable and skill-centered assessments.

Whether you’re newer to the field or a seasoned interpreter, this workshop invites critical reflection, open dialogue, and practical strategies for advocating a more balanced and equitable understanding of what makes “Champ terp, THAT.”

Educational Objectives: