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Contributed commentary from Artie Grassman in response to a letter on ASL in Montgomery County:

I read the recent letter questioning the need for ASL interpreters at Montgomery County Commission meetings, and I welcome the opportunity to clarify some important misconceptions about American Sign Language and equal access to government.

First, American Sign Language is not English on the hands. ASL is a complete language with its own grammar, syntax and linguistic structure. For many deaf Americans, ASL is their first and primary language; English is their second language.

Captioning provides spoken English in written form. It is an excellent accessibility tool for many people who are deaf or hard of hearing, but captioning and ASL interpreting are not interchangeable. The question is not simply, “Are captions available?” It is, “Does the deaf person have effective and meaningful access to what is taking place?”

The recent letter also compared providing ASL interpretation to providing interpreters for immigrants who speak other languages. That comparison misses an important distinction. Deaf people are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act, a federal disability law, and state and local governments have specific obligations to ensure effective communication.

I was particularly troubled by the comparison of ASL interpretation to choosing a Rolls-Royce instead of a Chevrolet.

Language access is not a luxury. When an ASL interpreter is necessary for effective communication, that interpreter is not a premium upgrade. It is the means by which a deaf citizen can meaningfully participate in government.

For clarity, my own advocacy before the Montgomery County Commission has focused primarily on emergency communication, first responders, and access to county services because those are the most urgent needs. That should not be mistaken to mean that access to County Commission meetings is unimportant. Deaf citizens deserve equal access to all aspects of local government.

This brings up another reality that is easy to overlook. Deaf people have spent generations having to ask, explain and sometimes fight for communication access – in medical offices, hospitals, government agencies and countless other settings. Eventually, the burden of continually having to request access can itself discourage participation. Hearing citizens do not have to ask whether they will be able to understand their government before deciding whether to attend a public meeting. Deaf citizens should not have to either.

The letter also cites a purported national cost of $85 to $125 per hour for ASL interpreters. Rates in that range certainly can exist, particularly when an agency is billing a client or special circumstances are involved. But rates vary considerably by location, qualifications, agency versus direct contracting, minimum-hour requirements, travel and type of assignment. An agency’s billing rate also should not be confused with what the interpreter is actually paid.

Rather than relying on a generalized national figure, the relevant question is: What would qualified interpreting services actually cost Montgomery County through competitive local or regional contracting?

Fiscal responsibility and accessibility are not opposing values. We can be good stewards of taxpayer dollars while ensuring that deaf citizens have meaningful access to their government.

I have spent much of my professional life working with and advocating alongside the deaf community. My advocacy is not about spending taxpayer money carelessly. It is about asking our government to understand the people it serves, understand its responsibilities, and provide effective communication in a thoughtful and fiscally responsible manner.

Montgomery County belongs to all of us. Deaf citizens should not merely be able to see that government is taking place. They should be able to fully participate in it.

Artie Grassman

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