Abstract for the CATIE Center’s proposal
Project Ripples
After you dive in, there are ripples…
Project Ripples: Building Capacity to Increase Novice Interpreter Readiness
The goal of Project Ripples is to maximize employment, independence, and community integration for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or DeafBlind. Building on our previous RSA-funded projects (2016-2026), we prepare novice interpreters to be ready for certification and work, using evidence-based lessons learned, enhanced by technological innovation.
Two professional development pathways are established: 1) Specific differentiated cohort tracks offered for Deaf interpreters; Coda/hearing interpreters (interpreting focus); and Coda/hearing interpreters (linguistic focus). Cohorts include asynchronous and synchronous facilitated activities and supervised interpreting and reflection cycles. 2) Structured self–directed learning offered through eight facilitated courses aimed at developing ethical, reflective practitioners prepared for certification exams.
To build capacity, we will prepare partner organizations to educate their own cohorts following our model, increasing interpreter readiness beyond the grant. We will scale the impact through national partners who have committed over $150,000 in annual in-kind donations. We will also pilot AI-assessment tools to increase the capacity for assignment preparation and reflection, and the creation of professional development plans.
Projected Outcomes: 140+ practitioners complete the cohort pathway; 3600+ interpreters take the self-directed certification preparation pathway; and 12+ interpreter referral companies train 80+ interpreters annually after the grant cycle. This project will create a sustainable, scalable pipeline for preparing novice interpreters to be work-ready and certified, with the ripple effect of meeting the communication needs of over 5000 deaf VR consumers.
Project Ripples: Building Capacity to Increase Novice Interpreter Readiness
This poem was written by Doug Bowen-Bailey during the grant-writing process as he thought about what the CATIE Center is trying to achieve through this proposal. This poem is included in the project narrative.
Ripples
for educators everywhere
The beach goes on for miles,
layer upon layer of basalt
washed for a billion years,
rubbed smooth into Superior stone that
massages your bare feet
as you step toward the lake.
Carefully, you make your choice,
lifting one,
then another;
feeling the heft,
the curves,
testing the fit in the flex of fingers.
Reaching back in anticipation of summer,
you experiment with the physics
of an elbow’s fulcrum,
hand flying forward, and
release the gift
back into the waters
from which it came.
In awe of the simplicity
and the grandeur,
you count the skips
as ripples reach out
beyond the horizon,
onward to invisible shores.
Disclaimer: This video and page is created solely with resources from St. Catherine University and is not covered by the statement about grant-funding in the footer below.