(date)

The Honorable [name of legislator]

Address

City, State  ZIP

RE:    Urging the Legislature to Immediately Address Interpreter Licensure

Dear Senator _________

I am writing to urge you to put your support behind the Senate version of 2009 SB 389, a Sign Language Interpreter Licensure and Council bill.

1.) This bill is long overdue in Wisconsin. Wisconsin has the most lacking case law in the Midwest in regard to the quality of sign language interpreting services for the citizens of Wisconsin. This bill would simply codify what the majority of deaf and hard of hearing citizens already know:  that interpreter licensure will recognize the profession of interpreters and consequently bring up the standards of service.

2.) Most service providers in Wisconsin are not compelled to employ high quality sign language interpreting services, which puts many deaf and hard of hearing citizens in an untenable postion. This bill would place authority with a new licensure Council to help regulate all communit-based interpreters in this state.

I encourage you to look carefully at this issue and consider giving it your enthusiastic support. I am happy to discuss this with any members of your staff.

Sincerely,

Your name

Address

City, State, Zip code