Interpreting Services

Interpreters Code of Ethics

Auslan interpreters employed by Deaf CanDo are required to strictly adhere to the code of ethics of the Australian Sign Language Interpreters Association (ASLIA).

Deaf CanDo is a member of the State Government Disability Provider Panel and as such has in place quality management procedures as required by the that membership.

These quality management procedures are encompassed in the Disability Service Standards which cover:

• Duty of Care
• Emergency Response
• Privacy and Dignity
• Decision Making
• Individual Needs
• Service Access
• Recruitment & Selection
• Service Management
• Participation & Integration
• Complanints and Disputes
• Value Status
• Standard Precautions
• Behaviour Management

Who we are?

Deaf CanDo Auslan interpreters are highly qualified professionals who provide sign language interpreting services for Deaf, Deaf/Blind and hearing impaired persons.

An Auslan Interpreter is a hearing person who is competent in English and Auslan. They must be able to interpret spoken English into Auslan and Auslan into spoken English. He or She must have the necessary skills and qualifications to work as an interpreter.

Relay Interpreters can be Deaf or hearing and operate in conjunction with the Auslan Interpreter to relay messages. For example Deaf/Blind persons may need this form or interpreting.

Deaf CanDo has been providing Interpreting Services to the Deaf Community since 1891.

Emergency Services

24 hour service

The Society provides a 24 hour Emergency Service.

The Emergency number is: 0417 233 369

Deaf Community members can access via SMS or NRS 13 36 77.

If you are using a TTY ring this number through the National Relay Service on 13 36 77. This is for genuine emergencies only.

Emergency bookings (Police, Medical etc) must be made by the agency, not the Deaf CanDo Interpreting Services during office hours 9.00am - 5.00pm.

Interpreting Staff

Qualified Staff Interpreters

All permanent staff interpreters employed by Deaf CanDo hold NAATI (National Authority for the Accreditation of Translators and Interpreters) Accreditation and have all registered to participate in the revalidation process. To ensure interpreters are able to revalidate successfully they will need to provide NAATI with evidence of their attendance at training opportunities and the required number of hours worked during the specified time. Thus ensuring that interpreters are up skilling to keep in line with the interpreting needs of the Deaf community.

The following staff are permanent employees of Deaf CanDo and only work for Deaf CanDo.

Heather Loades

General Manager Communication Services.
Professional Interpreter (full time)
Heather started interpreting at Marion High School in 1990, gaining her NAATI Professional Accreditation in 1995. She has a Bachelor of Arts and a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration. Heather has Deaf parents and has had a long association with the Deaf Community.

Barbara Elsdon

Professional Interpreter (part time)
Employed at Deaf CanDo since 1985, Barbara has great wealth of experience as an interpreter. She has Deaf parents, and grew up in the Deaf community, spending her early years running around the historic building at 262 South Terrace Adelaide. Hence Barbara holds a strong connection to the interpreting service. Barbara now works 3 days per week for Deaf CanDo.

Pip Cody

Professional Interpreter (part time)
Pip Cody has worked as a professional interpreter for many years in Melbourne and has a degree in Linguistics. Pip moved to Adelaide in late 2006 and is working for Deaf CanDo in a part time capacity and is also responsible for the development of training program for Deaf CanDo interpreting Staff. Tafe SA runs the Diploma of interpreting course in Adelaide with Pip as the principal tutor.

Imran Webb

Paraprofessional Interpreter (full time)
Imran gained his NAATI paraprofessional accreditation after successfully passing the Diploma of Interpreting (Auslan) course in 2007. Imran has a large Deaf family and is heavily involved within the local Deaf community. Due to his interest in sports Imran has supported a number of Deaf people and Deaf sports team with his coaching skills.

Angela Drakos

Paraprofessional Interpreter (part time)
Angela gained her NAATI paraprofessional accreditation many years ago while living in Queensland where she worked as an educational and community interpreter. Angela moved to Adelaide to live with her husband and family and is employed by Deaf CanDo. Angela has Deaf parents therefore giving her a great understanding of the language and the culture. Angela works for Deaf CanDo 3 days per week and is permanent.

Deidre Childs

Paraprofessional Interpreter (part time)
Deidre is a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), and gained NAATI paraprofessional accreditation after attending mentoring courses run by Deaf CanDo. Deidre is a permanent employee of Deaf CanDo has just returned from maternity leave. Deidre works for Deaf CanDo 2 days per week and is permanent.

Sally Milner

Paraprofessional Interpreter (full time but currently on maternity leave)
Sally was first introduced to sign language through Deaf friends. Sally really enjoyed using Auslan and this enjoyment lead to her studying at Tafe to gain her Diploma of Interpreting. Since completing the Diploma of Interpreting she has worked on the Claremont Project in Tasmania and in Brisbane with their education department in the role of interpreter.

Sarah Leitner

Paraprofessional Interpreter (full time but currently on 12 months leave)
Sarah is a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), and gained NAATI paraprofessional accreditation after completing the 2007 Diploma of Interpreting (Auslan ) Sarah is currently on 12 months leave and working in Brisbane, but her full time position with Deaf CanDo is on hold for her return late in 2009.

Casually Employed Interpreting Staff

The following staff are employed and work only for Deaf CanDo in a casual capacity, and we thank them for their loyalty.

Cherie Sakovitis (Casual)

Paraprofessional Interpreter
Cherie developed a passion of Auslan from Deaf members of her Church and went onto study Auslan through Tafe SA. Cherie participated in the 2007 Diploma of Interpreting (Auslan) Course and successfully gained NAATI paraprofessional accreditation.

John Hallett (Casual)

Professional Interpreter
John has an extensive family history with deafness. His long standing association started in an unofficial capacity, becoming officially employed as the Welfare Officer in 1969. His vast experience and knowledge of the Deaf community and the culture is an important assess to our team.

Amy Blaylock

Paraprofessional Interpreter (Casual)
Amy was introduced to Auslan through family connections, as her great grandmother was a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults). This burning interest lead Amy to the TafeSA Auslan Language Course and then onto the Diploma of Interpreting (Auslan) Course in 2007 where she successfully gained NAATI paraprofessional accreditation. Amy holds a Science degree and works for Deaf CanDo two days per week.

The following paraprofessionals are registered with Deaf CanDo and other interpreting agencies.

Karina Morgan
Elishia Jackson
Majella O’Sullivan
De Brown

Communication Aides

The following Communication Aides work only for Deaf CanDo.

Emma Ferguson
Hannah Yarrow Wallace
Linda Thornton
Sereyna Jolly
Lorraine Ferguson

DeafBlind Relay Interpreters

The following Deafblind Relay Interpreters work only for Deaf CanDo and are permanent employees

Kelly Ferguson
Barry Priori

The following Deafblind Relay Intereters work only for Deaf Cando and are casuals.

Bev Rickards
Colin Mitchell
Cecilia Mitselburg
Rosalie Kassulke
Kylie Rickards
Steven Ostbye
Marina Maggs
Maria Williams
Ben Hatchard
Sandra Sandon