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RKA Signs

Freelance ASL Interpreter Must Haves

Updated: Jan 22

This is a fun topic. I always liked watching "What's in my bag" videos. It's also a common topic on social media platforms.


  1. Extra Clothes


I bought a garment bag to keep in my car. So many times as an interpreter you show up and realize you're underdressed, or maybe you're overdressed! (I'd much prefer to be overdressed, honestly). I've had times I threw up in the car on my way to an assignment (I wasn't sick), but I had to stop at Walmart to buy a new set of clothes for the day. I recommend having a small range of clothes from casual to business professional, all the way down to socks and intimates. Also you always need a sweater!


  1. Notebook and Pen


This is a basic pretty much everyone should have, along with any other office supplies you like to use. I'm guilty of forgetting to have them on hand because I do so much digitally nowadays.


  1. Portable Music Stand


This is more of a "nice to have", but I've found it to be useful. I've used it at least three times in the past year. Often the venue has a music stand you can use for your notes, but sometimes they don't or sometimes it's not adjustable enough.


  1. VRI Setup


If you're completely uninterested in any virtual work, you can probably skip this one, but I found pretty soon after becoming an interpreter it was useful. Heck, even if you don't do virtual interpreting, I've used my setup for interviews, screenings, and meetings. If you want to do any virtual work at all, these items are required (Even if your job doesn't mention requirements, I recommend investing in them). My setup is very basic, it's just a curtain thumbtacked to the wall. I have a 30fps USB camera (I plan to upgrade it soon). I have a USB headset with a microphone.


  1. Second Monitor


If you don't want to do virtual work, I still find a second monitor really useful. When I have to do my bookkeeping and invoicing, it's really nice to be able to have one monitor have the bank account open and another screen have my spreadsheets open. If you do any virtual work, it's of course really nice because you can pin the Deaf client on one screen and have the rest of the meeting on another screen. You can have your meeting on one screen and a browser page or notes page open on the other monitor. There's a lot of value in having two. I actually bought mine secondhand very cheap ($12) and then bought the cords I needed to hook everything up.


  1. Tech of Choice


I bring my phone and a tablet with me to jobs. I have my providers sign vouchers on my tablet so I can send them electronically. This is much better for me than having to print, sign, scan, and email them and it's more confidential because my tablet has a password. Having physical papers on me is a little difficult to ensure it's really secure. Some interpreters carry a laptop, or a locked briefcase.


  1. A Good Bag


Doesn't everyone need a good bag? I bought a pleather backpack when I was a teacher and I've gotten a ton of use out of it. Some interpreters use totes, or messenger bags, but personally I'm a backpack girly because I don't like shoulder pain or asymmetrical weight.


  1. Lunchbag and Waterbottle


I always keep snacks and a waterbottle with me. Sometimes I'm out on a job, and I'm able to pick up a second job last minute. When I leave the house I don't necessarily know how long I'll be out for. Plus the food you can buy while you're out is generally unhealthy and expensive.


  1. Face Masks with Clear Window


If you do medical interpreting, or if you just like to wear a face mask, these are a must. I use some that don't fog up. They were created by a Deaf person that was a patient during Covid and wanted a mask that would allow her to lipread. They are linked at the bottom of the page.


  1. Hand Warmers


This is another really niche thing. One time I was interpreting an outdoor wedding by myself in 40 degree weather with no team (I don't recommend it, my hands kept cramping up). But I wish I would have had hand warmers in my pockets so I could use them on micro breaks to keep my hands from cramping up.


Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments what you like to bring with you on assignments!


Links to Products I mentioned (These are not affiliate links):

Safe and Clear Face Masks

Photo Credit: Photo by Josiah Weiss on Unsplash



 
 
 

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