Sign language interpreting is a vital profession that bridges communication between Deaf and hearing communities. Yet, despite rising demand, working conditions and compensation structures for interpreters have seen little progress since 1998.
Many interpreters are still paid on a monthly basis, creating financial instability—especially during tax season when lump-sum payments can lead to significant hardship. Even more archaic is the continued classification of interpreters as 1099 independent contractors, despite functioning more like employees in many settings. In 2025, this outdated model deprives interpreters of basic protections like paid time off, unemployment benefits, and employer-covered taxes—while still expecting full-time availability, loyalty, and compliance with ever-changing rules.
The consequences are real and personal. Over 80% of interpreters working under 1099 status have no access to employer-provided health insurance—yet many of us are sent to interpret in hospitals where we ourselves couldn’t afford to receive care. We're expected to support patients through medical emergencies and life-altering diagnoses, all while knowing that we don’t have access to the very care we help facilitate.
In addition, interpreters are often required to travel long distances for assignments, even when remote interpreting solutions are readily available, effective, and more sustainable. These outdated practices not only jeopardize interpreters’ financial and physical well-being but also fail to reflect the realities of modern work.
Interpreters also face a constantly shifting landscape of laws, policies, and certification requirements—often with little warning or support. This creates additional barriers to staying compliant and remaining in the field. For many of us, these challenges are not abstract—they're our daily reality.
That’s why MyInterpreting.com, an interpreter-owned and interpreter-run company, is leading the charge to reform the industry from the inside. They know firsthand what needs to change—and they’re advocating for fair pay, flexible remote work options, access to health care, and greater stability in an unstable system.
These improvements don’t just benefit interpreters—they lead to better outcomes for the Deaf community. When interpreters are supported, the services we provide become more consistent, more accessible, and more empowering for the people we serve every day in school, at work, and in life.