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ASL Interpreting Scenario Series: What Would You Do? Scenario # 5

by | Dec 30, 2025 | Interpreter Education

ASL Interpreting Scenario Series: What Would You Do? Scenario # 5

Dec 30, 2025 | Interpreter Education

by: Lisa Hendrickson, CI - NIR Coordinator

Continuing with the “What Would You Do?” series, we now will dive into yet another hypothetical interpreting scenario, including an ethical dilemma to ponder, and apply the NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct (CPC).

In the prior blogs within this series, we discuss that people are often faced with ethical dilemmas—some big, some small—that we must negotiate through and/or around. For these daily dilemmas, we have our beliefs and values to guide us, cultivated as we have grown throughout the years.

Ethical dilemmas in the workplace are certainly no exception to this tendency, and many fields have additional tools to assist in the decision-making process. Numerous professions have codes of professional conduct to assist in guiding its members toward the best possible ethical decisions; the field of interpreting has the NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct (CPC). for this purpose.

For this series, we will look at a hypothetical interpreting scenario, and then investigate which Tenets/Illustrative Behaviors of the NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct (CPC). may help us decide the best possible course of action. Exploring these scenarios, and applying the CPC, can help us prepare for situations that may arise in our daily work.

Remember, there are no wrong answers!

Scenario #5

Now let’s examine Scenario #5 and apply the Tenets/Illustrative Behaviors of the NAD-RID CPC:

You are interpreting for an Employee Applicant Tour at a large hospital complex, for a potential Deaf employee. The potential Deaf employee is taking part in a multi-day event with a large group of potential employees who expect to be placed in various capacities within the complex, at the conclusion of the event.

At one point during the facility tour of the main pharmacy, the administrator asked for a raise of hands as to which applicants applied specifically for pharmacy technician positions. The Deaf applicant raised his hand in response, as did several others. The administrator then stressed that any employees with present or past drug addiction are barred from working within any of their in-house pharmacies. The Deaf applicant nodded his head in understanding.

As the tour concludes, the applicants file to the booths for their final meetings with the administrators within their specific job categories. The Deaf applicant proceeds to the Pharmacy Technician booth for his final meeting prior to being officially hired.

Tenets/Illustrative Behaviors that may apply NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct (CPC).

Let’s now look at the CPC to see which Tenets/Illustrative Behaviors may help us decide how to proceed if faced with a similar situation:

  • 1.0 Confidentiality

    Tenet: Interpreters adhere to standards of confidential communication.

    Illustrative Behavior:

    • 1.1 – Share assignment-related information only on a confidential and “as-needed” basis (e.g., supervisors, interpreter team members, members of the educational team, hiring entities).

  • 2.0 Professionalism

    Tenet: Interpreters possess the professional skills and knowledge required for the specific interpreting situation.

    Illustrative Behavior:

    • 2.3 – Render the message faithfully by conveying the content and spirit of what is being communicated, using language most readily understood by consumers, and correcting errors discreetly and expeditiously.

  • 3.0 Conduct

    Tenet: Interpreters conduct themselves in a manner appropriate to the specific interpreting situation.

    Illustrative Behaviors:

    • 3.3 – Avoid performing dual or conflicting roles in interdisciplinary (e.g. educational or mental health) or other settings.
    • 3.4 – Comply with established workplace codes of conduct, notify appropriate personnel if there is a conflict with this Code of Professional Conduct, and actively seek resolution where warranted.

  • 4.0 Respect for Consumers

    Tenet: Interpreters demonstrate respect for Consumers.

    Illustrative Behaviors:

    • 4.2 – Approach consumers with a professional demeanor at all times.
    • 4.4 – Facilitate communication access and equality, and support the full interaction and independence of consumers.

These are just a few possible examples of Tenets/Illustrative Behaviors that may help an interpreter decide how best to proceed if faced with a similar situation to the above scenario. Take a look at the NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct to see if you can find other Tenet(s)/ Illustrative Behaviors that you think may best apply to Scenario #5.

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