Deaf people have the right to accessible communication – and this includes support from sign language interpreters (SLI). In theory, it sounds simple: If you have an appointment, you request an interpreter, and the service takes place. But in practice, there are many obstacles that make life more difficult for deaf people.
An increasingly serious problem: booking sign language interpreters directly, without going through an official SLI agency. What may seem like a flexible solution often leads to chaos, inequality, and uncertainty – especially for deaf people.
This article explains the background, gives real-life examples, and offers tips for how SLI assignments could be organized more fairly and clearly.
When SLI Are Booked Without an Agency: The Problem
In Germany, many SLI work as freelancers. This means they are self-employed and can decide which assignments they want to take and how they organize themselves. Some interpreters allow deaf clients to contact them directly – without going through an official SLI agency.
While this might seem easier for hearing clients, this practice causes serious disadvantages for deaf people:
- SLI agencies don’t know when and where assignments are taking place.
- There are gaps, overlaps, and long waiting times.
- The allocation process becomes non-transparent.
If interpreters are booked privately, the agencies can no longer ensure fair, structured, and equal access to interpreting services.
Real-Life Example: Two Requests – Two Waiting Times
A typical situation many deaf people know:
One person requests a SLI through the official agency. The answer: four weeks waiting time. A few days later, the same person meets a deaf friend who privately contacted the same interpreter – and only had to wait one week.
These kinds of situations lead to frustration. Many rightly ask: Why am I put on the long waiting list, while others get help faster through personal contacts?
This kind of unequal treatment is experienced by many as discrimination – even if it’s not immediately visible.
Other Problems: Personal Rejection and Lack of Transparency
Another sensitive issue: Some interpreters reject requests from certain deaf clients – due to personal conflicts, past criticism, or billing issues.
While such reasons may be understandable, they undermine neutrality. It becomes especially problematic when interpreters decide based on names whether or not they want to take the assignment.
People who are politically active or outspoken in public often report that they cannot find a SLI – even though others are served during the same period.
Freelance – But Not a Luxury Service Like a Painter or Hairdresser
Sign language interpreters are freelancers. That means they can decide for themselves which assignments to take, when to work, and how to organize themselves. This freedom is legal – and understandable at first glance.
However: For deaf people, SLI assignments are not a “luxury service” like getting your car repaired or going to the hairdresser. It is not an optional service – it is a social necessity.
Without SLI support, many essential situations cannot be managed:
- Job opportunities are lost because interviews or team meetings are not understood.
- Medical treatments must be signed without understanding the consent forms.
- Misunderstandings occur in parent-teacher meetings or at the youth welfare office due to lack of interpretation.
- Access to information at authorities, courts, or police is severely limited – even when important rights are at stake.
Deaf people do not rely on SLI services by choice – it is a necessity. The freedom of SLI to choose assignments should not come at the cost of ignoring the basic communication rights of deaf people.
A system is needed that combines SLI’s freelance status with their social responsibility toward deaf clients. This is only possible through organized planning and fair oversight.
A Fair Solution: Central Assignment with Freedom of Choice
A possible fair solution would be: All interpreter requests go through a central SLI agency – but with the right to choose.
This means: Deaf people can still choose their preferred interpreter or communication assistant.
But: The agency coordinates all requests and has a clear overview:
- Who is on the waiting list?
- When and where is each interpreter scheduled?
- Which SLI are available and in which region?
This avoids private favoritism and ensures that everyone gets fair access.
Tips for Deaf Clients
- Always file a request with the SLI agency – even if you have a preferred interpreter. This keeps the process traceable.
- Plan ahead: For important appointments, request an interpreter 3–4 weeks in advance.
- Give feedback: If there are unfair practices or issues, report them to the agency. That’s the only way to improve the system.
- Support each other: Avoid “secret tips” or favoritism. Work together for fair rules.
Conclusion: Without Clear Organization, It Stays Unfair
Direct bookings of SLI may seem faster in individual cases – but they create a parallel structure that leads to chaos, inequality, and insecurity in the long term.
Deaf people have the right to equal access to interpreting – regardless of personal relationships, popularity, or insider knowledge.
Therefore, the system should ensure that all SLI assignments are coordinated centrally, while still respecting deaf people’s right to choose their preferred interpreter.
Only through more transparency, better planning, and cooperation can the situation become fairer – for the interpreters, the agencies, and above all, for deaf people themselves.
