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Why Community Outreach Program for the Deaf

At the Community Outreach Program for the Deaf, we take the time to understand our clients' needs and provide sign language interpreting and consulting for conferences, job interviews, training, doctor's appointments, legal settings and much more. Our knowledge and experience allow us to provide a positive image of accessibility.

Organizational Advantage

Community Outreach Program for the Deaf contracts with interpreters as either full time staff or independent contractors. Because we employ staff interpreters that are available on a full time basis, we provide interpreters for any last minute assignments that clients frequently request. Full time schedulers are assigned to coordinate client requests. Therefore, clients can easily contact an experienced scheduler by phone, website, or email at any time. Each scheduler is trained by the company to identify the specific details critical to matching the assignment to the appropriate interpreter.

Interpreting Resources

"COPD is the only provider of interpreting services in the Tucson metropolitan area which is not-for-profit. Competing with for profit agencies challenges COPD to utilize business practices and tools which can minimize the cost of doing business, remain competitive in a rapidly growing market, and efficiently perform business functions so that program surpluses can be re-invested into other services for the Deaf within the agency. All services are mission driven." COPD only provides interpreters whose qualifications are documented by state licensure, and most are nationally certified.

Compliance Management

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires public agencies and certain public accommodations (such as physicians, lawyers, libraries, day care centers, and hotels) to provide accommodations, including interpreters.

Community Outreach Program for the Deaf stays current on compliance regulations related to ADA Legislation, state regulations for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and the Interpreter Certification Board. Through in-house legal counsel, we provide consistent professional interpreting services to satisfy the requirements of the national and state laws.

ADA Resources

Since the passing of The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, private, state and local government entities are under obligation to consider accessibility to goods and services from individuals with disabilities. In most cases working with individuals who use sign language as their primary mode of communication or any number of diversified disabilities is a new and occasional experience. Considerations for accessibility are difficult to anticipate.

As a benefit of working with COPD , we have organized some helpful resources that will enable your organization to consider appropriate policy, procedures and compliance to the ADA Law.

Most of what you need to know about the ADA and how it affects your organization can be found online. However, wading through cyberspace and maneuvering through the subtleties of Deaf culture may lead you to inapplicable information. Here COPD provides you a highlighted list of links and resources to enhance your organization's sensitivity and education of the ADA's intentions. If you find you need even more information, feel free to contact us and we will consult with you on your accessibility issues.

• ADA Homepage A comprehensive website for the Americans with Disabilities Act addressing all accessibilities issues and disability groups. Highlights listed below.
• ADA Information Line: 800-514-0301
• ADA Business Connection: Addresses the ADA requirements and its affect on businesses.
• National Association of the Deaf - Oldest and largest organization representing 28 million deaf and hard of hearing individuals

Requesting an Interpreter

A client can contact Community Outreach Program for the Deaf's scheduling staff by phone, fax, website, or email to request interpreting services. Website request forms allow for requests to be made conveniently 24/7 and are processed quickly during business hours. For requests submitted by phone, fax or email, Schedulers will document the assignment information including the name of the client, the location of the assignment, the requested time, and any necessary contact information. Schedulers will also fill any specific requests for interpreters as stipulated by the authorized requestor.

Last Minute/Emergency Requests

Frequently, clients contact Community Outreach Program for the Deaf requesting interpreting services immediately. This often occurs due to last minute scheduling changes within the client's organization. Because of the large number of interpreters and the scheduling software used by Community Outreach Program for the Deaf, our schedulers accept these requests.

Technological Advantage

Community Outreach Program for the Deaf uses state-of-the-art scheduling software that allows our staff to clearly communicate with our clients and interpreters. Customers and clients schedule interpreters by phone, email or automatically through our website at www.copdaz.org. Confirmation emails are sent both to the client and the interpreters. This ensures clients are up to date on their requests and qualified interpreters are sent to their assignments in a timely manner.