Hiring a Sign Language Interpreter in Wisconsin: A Comprehensive Guide

If you're working with someone who is Deaf, DeafBlind, or hard of hearing in Wisconsin, it's essential to understand your legal responsibilities and how to secure qualified interpreting services. This guide outlines what you need to know.

The Deaf Person’s Legal Right to Communication Access

Under federal laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as Wisconsin state law, Deaf individuals have the right to effective communication in public settings.

It is never the Deaf person’s responsibility to provide or pay for their own interpreter. The obligation, including cost, falls on the service provider, employer, school, or agency involved. It is inappropriate to ask the Deaf person to bring family members to interpret.

In Wisconsin, all working interpreters must be licensed, either by DSPS, or DPI, depending on the setting. Other specific settings may require further certifications and licenses such as legal or mental health settings.

In educational settings, D/HH students are entitled to a qualified interpreter under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA.) In Wisconsin, interpreters serving K-12 students must hold an educational interpreter license [O020] issued by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI).

If your school district needs to hire a licensed K-12 interpreter, click here.

WI DVR: If you are an employer looking to hire a deaf person or already have deaf employees, here are guidelines on how to work with interpreters

ADA Guide for Law Enforcement,

ADA Guide for Law Enforncement on Communication

ADA Guide for Health Care

ADA Guide for Hotels / Lodging

When an Interpreter is Required

When a Deaf person asks for an interpreter, you're likely required to provide an interpreter in the following settings, including, but not limited to:

Setting Examples

Medical Hospitals, clinics, mental health sessions, urgent care

Legal Police interviews, Courtrooms, attorney meetings

Educational K-12 schools, colleges, training programs

Employment Job interviews, onboarding, trainings, staff meetings

Public Services Government offices, housing assistance, voting, social services

Public Events Conferences, lectures, community meetings open to the public

Religious Services Worship services, church functions, weddings, funerals

Legal and Behavioral Health situations require the interpreter to be approved for those settings. This is indicated on their license. See an example.

Failure to provide access may result in legal action, fines, or discrimination claims.

How to Hire a Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter in Wisconsin

For occasional needs, you can either hire through a reputable agency or directly contract with a freelance interpreter.

If you have an ongoing need for your Deaf employees or students, you may consider hiring a staff interpreter.

(for tips for K12 schools, click here)

List of Wisconsin Interpreting Agencies: Click Here

List of Freelance Interpreters: Click Here

What Information Do I Need to Provide?

WHO*

Requestor’s Name & Contact Info: Your name, phone number, and email

On-site Contact: Who the interpreter should check in with upon arrival.

Deaf Client(s): Name(s) and any relevant preferences (e.g., communication style, whether they use ASL or another modality like PSE or tactile).
Hearing Participants: Who else will be present (e.g., doctor, teacher, HR representative) and their role.

WHAT

Nature of the Appointment/Event: Be specific: medical consultation, legal deposition, classroom instruction, job interview, etc.

Content Complexity: Is it highly technical? Emotionally sensitive?

Type of Interpretation Needed: ASL-English, tactile, PSE, or with a CDI (Certified Deaf Interpreter).

WHERE

Exact Location: Address, room number, floor, security and parking instructions.

Virtual or In-Person? If virtual, provide link and passcode

WHEN

Date(s) and Time(s): Start and end times. Expected duration of assignment. Note time zone if virtual.

Consider if the interpreter needs to arrive early for setup or briefings.

Recurring or One-Time? If it's a series of appointments or an ongoing need.

WHY

Purpose of Interpretation: Helps agency select an interpreter with the appropriate skillset and license credential. For example:

Legal → Legal interpreter with court credentials

K-12 → Interpreter with DPI or educational experience

Mental Health → Interpreter trained in behavioral health

CDI → Deaf Interpreter trained for platform settings or to work with Deaf clients with special linguistic needs

HOW

Billing Information: Who is paying for the service? (School, clinic, business, individual?)

Preferred Interpreter(s): If the client has worked with someone before.

Materials: Share prep materials ahead of time (agendas, slides, documents).

Dress code or environment-specific info (e.g., lab safety gear)

*Interpreters follow HIPAA and FERPA and also have their own code of ethics regarding confidentiality.

What to Expect When Paying for an ASL Interpreter

Costs vary based on setting, interpreter qualifications, and whether you're working with an agency, or a freelance interpreter

Typical Rates

Hourly Rate: Most interpreters charge between $50–$125 per hour.
Minimum Booking Time: Interpreters may require a 2-hour minimum, regardless of appointment length.
Team Interpreting: For long or complex assignments you’ll need two interpreters to work as a team
Specialized Qualifications:: Legal or Mental Health credentials, theatre or performance training

Additional Costs to Consider:

Evening, Weekend, or Emergency Rates: May increase rates

Travel Fees: May be charged portal to portal or mileage costs

Late Cancellation: May charge the full fee if canceled on site or with short notice

Prep Time: For technical or lengthy events, some interpreters may request paid prep hours.

In more casual or informal settings, such as community picnics, family parties, or informal gatherings, it may be appropriate to use volunteer interpreters who are licensed or Interpreter training program (ITP) students under supervision (for non-critical needs.)

While volunteer or student interpreters can be helpful, always ensure the Deaf individual(s) consents and that communication needs are still met. Volunteer or student interpreters may not accept compensation (monetary or otherwise) for their service.

Interpreter Licensing in Wisconsin

Wisconsin requires sign language interpreters to be licensed. The correct license depends on the setting in which the interpreter is working. Specialized certifications may be required for certain assignments or settings, such as legal or mental health situations.

Verify licenses before hiring:

Other Key Considerations

Types of Interpreters and Communication Needs

Not all Deaf or hard of hearing individuals use the same communication methods. It’s important to ask about preferences and match them with the appropriate interpreter.

Note: Most interpreting agencies will already have language notes on file for repeat Deaf clients. In these cases, you likely won’t need to ask the Deaf individual what kind of interpreter to request. However, if the person expresses a preference, it is essential to honor their request to ensure effective communication.

Appropriate Settings

While interpreters should be accepting work where they are allowed to, the hiring entity also has the option to verify if the interpreter holds the correct credentials for the assignment.

Community based interpreters should carry their DSPS license with them and have them available upon request.

If not, you may check the DSPS - Department of Safety and Professional Service portal.

K12 DPI Interpreters do not carry license cards and can be verified by name on the DPI License Look Up portal.

DSPS - Advanced License - Hearing

Green Background

Can work in most settings

Will have extra colors added if they're approved for high stakes settings

DSPS - Intermediate License - Hearing

Yellow Background

Can work in limited settings

(typically not legal, medical, or mental health settings)

Not pictured:

DSPS Intermediate License - Deaf

DSPS Advanced License - Deaf

The Perspective of the Deaf Client

It’s important to remember that Deaf individuals often have little control or input in scheduling interpreters or the interpreting process. Many times, they may not even know whether an interpreter will be provided until the moment someone shows up, and often a complete stranger (interpreter) is assigned and tasked with (and trusted to) facilitate deeply personal or critical conversations.

Sometimes the interpreter may not be a good language match for their sign language or may lack situational knowledge or vocabulary needed to interpret effectively. The power in the situation lies with the hiring entity, not the Deaf person. That makes it even more important to approach interpreting services with thoughtfulness, respect, and collaboration.

Whenever possible:

Involve the Deaf individual in communication planning when possible. This builds trust and ensures better outcomes for everyone involved.
Confirm in advance that an interpreter will be provided.
If you know the name of the interpreter, share that information with the Deaf individual ahead of time.
If the Deaf individual expresses concerns or has preferences, honor them whenever feasible.
If you have preparation materials (e.g., an agenda, PowerPoint slides, legal documents, or situational materials), provide them to the interpreter ahead of time so they can prepare and ensure effective communication.
Note: Interpreters follow HIPAA and FERPA confidentiality requirements in addition to their professional code of ethics.