Virginia Interpreter Services Program and Interpreter Directories

The Virginia Department for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH) Interpreter Services program includes a Directory of Qualified Interpreters including National Certified Interpreters and  Virginia Quality Assurance Screened Interpreters (VQAS), The agency also offers Interpreter Services Coordination. The Directory is mandated by Virginia Code. The Directory includes contact information for interpreters in Virginia who meet the Code definition of a qualified interpreter. VDDHH disseminates the Directory to consumers and service providers to assist in securing qualified interpreters for various assignments. A hard copy of the Directory can be obtained by contacting the agency. The 

There are many qualified interpreters in Virginia who are not listed in the Directory of Qualified Interpreters. You may want to go to the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) “Find a RID Member” search tool to find an interpreter. Be sure to select “Certified” in the section for “Category” so that you know the interpreter names that come up in your search are people who have current, valid certification.

The Virginia Quality Assurance Screening-Interpreter Assessments program offers written and performance skills assessments to individuals seeking credentials as sign language interpreters or transliterators or cued speech transliterators. Candidates must achieve a score of 90 percent or higher on the written assessment which is based on the tenets of the registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Code of Ethics. Once this has been achieved, candidates participate in a performance assessment in which the individual functions as an interpreter or transliterator. Candidates are awarded screening levels based on an analysis of their performance. 

Outreach Providers working with the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing can provide you additional information.