Why Choose a CASLI/OASLI Member?

The Ontario Association of Sign Language Interpreters' (OASLI) is an affiliate chapter of the Canadian Association of Sign Language Interpreters (CASLI), the national association. This means that OASLI members are also CASLI members. All OASLI/CASLI members are bound by CASLI’s Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Professional Conduct.

When you hire a CASLI member, you are working with a professionally trained interpreter who is committed to the following:

• Providing the highest quality service
• Maintaining honest and ethical business practices
• Demonstrating sound professional judgement and accepting responsibility for the quality of their interpretation
• Ensuring all information obtained during the course of professional service remains confidential

OASLI's Position of the Exclusive Use of Active CASLI Members

The Ontario Association of Sign Language Interpreters (OASLI) supports the exclusive employment of qualified professionals who are Active members of the Association of Canadian Association of Sign Language Interpreters (CASLI). We believe that it is the right and the responsibility of all citizens of Ontario who employ the services of a sign language interpreter to contract only those providers who agree to uphold the guidelines of the profession as set out by our national association.

The Issue

The field of American Sign Language (ASL)-English Interpretation is currently unregulated. This leads to many people who are considered competent “signers” making a living as interpreters in communities across Ontario. As they are not Active members of CASLI, they

• are not required to follow the Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Professional Conduct 
• cannot be held accountable for their actions through CASLI’s Dispute Resolution Process
• may not have graduated from a recognized Interpreter Education Program

This has led to a lack of quality assurance and disempowerment of consumers throughout the province.

Rationale

OASLI is an Affiliate Chapter of CASLI and as such all of our members have a minimum three years of post-secondary training or equivalent. Members are also bound by CASLI’s Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Professional Conduct, which include 

• Professional Accountability
• Professional Competence  
• Non-discrimination
• Integrity in professional relationships
• Integrity in business practices

CASLI is responsible for the development and administration of the Canadian Evaluation System, the country’s only ASL-English interpreter certification process. The ultimate goal of CASLI is to certify all of its members. CASLI also provides Deaf and Non-Deaf consumers with a formal Dispute Resolution Process (DRP). Unfortunately, this process may only be utilized in instances where the interpreter is an active CASLI member and does not apply to non-members. For all reasons stated above, OASLI supports the exclusive use of interpreters who are Active CASLI members.

Adopted by the Board - July 19, 2010 Passed by the membership - June 18, 2011 Clear Writing revision – February 7, 2014

OASLI's Position Paper: Exclusive Use of CASLI (former AVLIC) Active Members.pdf

Visit Booking Interpreters for more information.

Directory of OASLI Interpreters