Sign Language Interpreting Services – Fort Worth/Dallas area
PO Box 137555, Fort Worth, TX 76136 Phone/TTY: 817-236 DEAF (3323) Fax: 817-236-5601
4421 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76107 Phone and VP: 817-763-0470
PO Box 163858, Fort Worth, TX 76161-9858 Phone: 817-741-4441 Fax: 817-741-4333
3115 Crestview Dr., Dallas, TX 75235 Phone/TTY: 214-521-0407 Fax: 214521-3658
Merritt Interpreting Service http://www.mis-interpreting.com
3626 N. Hall Street, Suite 504, Dallas, Texas 75219 Phone: 214-969-5585 Fax: 214-969-5592
Sign Language Interpreter Training and Certification
“Being a sign language interpreter will enable you to facilitate communication from spoken English into American Sign Language and American Sign Language into spoken English in professional settings.” (Copied 11/21/07)
Because of the ADA, “there is currently a national and statewide shortage of interpreters. Moreover, the quality as well as the quantity of the interpreters that the market demands is increasing.” (Copied 11/21/07)
TSID is a non-profit organization for developing and strengthening the profession of interpreting in Texas.
RID is a national organization of professional interpreters, advocating for increased quality, qualification, and quantity of interpreters through education, testing, and certification.
The State of Texas BEI evaluates interpreters to assess their skills and determine certification levels. The BEI maintains a roster of certified interpreters by skill level and handles complaints about interpreter ethics.
Deaf Churches and Interpreted Services
Altamesa Church of Christ http://www.altamesa.org
Interpreted service at 10:15 a.m.
4600 Alta Mesa Blvd.
Fort Worth, TX 76133
Church Phone: 817-294-1260
Contact Person: David Seay
Arborlawn United Methodist Church http://www.arborlawnumc.org
Interpreted service at 11:00 a.m.
5001 Briarhaven Rd.
Fort Worth TX 76132
Church Phone: 817-731 0701
Contact Person: Judy Williamson
Birchman Baptist Church http://www.birchman.org
Call ahead to request interpreter
9100 Normandale St.
Fort Worth, TX 76116
Church Phone: 817-244-6590
Contact Person: Janay Tendly
Calvary Baptist Church
700 Woodard Ave.
Cleburne, TX 76031
Church Phone: 817-645-7758
Contact Person: Kipi Grabow
Christ United Methodist Church http://cumcfw.com
Interpreted service at 11:00 a.m.
3301 Sycamore School Rd.
Fort Worth 76123TX
Church Phone: 817-346-2400
Contact Person: Shannon Jenkins
Eagle Mountain International Church
(Kenneth Copeland Ministries) http://www.emic.org
Interpreted service at 11:00 a.m.
14255 Morris-Dido Rd.
Newark, TX 76071
Church Phone: 817-252-2900
Contact Person: Jean Sanders
Fielder Road Baptist Church http://fielderroad.com
Interpreted service at 9:30 a.m.
2011 S. Fielder Rd.
Arlington, TX 76013
Church Phone: 817-460-2234 (voice or TTY)
Metro Number 817-261-6732 (voice or TTY)
First Baptist Church, Burleson http://www.fbcburleson.com
Interpreted service at 8:10 and 9:30 a.m.
317 W. Ellison St.
Burleson, TX 76028
Church Phone: 817-295-2221
Contact Persons: Tom and Debbie Hanley, Cecille Davis
First Baptist Church, Mansfield http://www.firstmansfield.com
All services interpreted. Sunday School interpreted.
1800 E. Broad St.
Mansfield, TX 76063
Church Phone: 817-473-1161
Contact Persons: Don Miller, Jackie Taylor, Peggy Cobb
Fort Worth First Seventh Day Adventist Church http://www.fwfsda.org
7051 McCart Ave.
Fort Worth, TX 76133
Church Phone: 817-294-5729
Contact Person: Dana Harold
Great Commission Baptist Church http://www.gcbcfw.org
Interpreted service at 9:30 a.m.
7700 McCart Ave.
Fort Worth, TX 76133
Church Phone: 817-346-1869
Contact Person: Terrance Howard
Contact Phone: 817-433-0007
Legacy Church of Christ http://www.legacychurchofchrist.org
Deaf pastor and congregation have their own meeting
8801 Mid Cities Blvd.
North Richland Hills, TX 76180
Church Phone: 817-485-6749
Contact Person: Terry Heidecker, Deaf Minister
McKinney Memorial Bible Church http://www.mckinneychurch.com
Call ahead to request interpreter
4805 Arborlawn Drive at S. Hulen St
Fort Worth, TX 76109
Church Phone: 817-921-5200
Contact Person: Sammie Sheppard
New Life Deaf Fellowship http://www.n-l-d-f.com
6917 Brentwood Stair Rd. near I-30 and E. Loop 820
Fort Worth, TX 76112
Church Phone: 866-644-6748 (VP) or 817-457-5587 (TTY)
Contact Person: J. Aric Randolph, pastor
NorthPointe Baptist Church http://www.northpointebaptist.org/
147 E. Hurst Blvd. (Hwy 10)
Hurst, TX 76053
Church Phone: 817 282-0035
Contact Person: Kay Anderson
Richland Hills United Methodist Church http://www.rhumc.net
7301 Glenview Dr.
Richland Hills, TX 76180
Church Phone: 817-284-9371
St. Barnabas United Methodist Church http://www.stbarnabasumc.org/
Interpreted service 10:50 a.m.
5011 W. Pleasant Ridge
Arlington, TX 76016
Church Phone: 817-483-1667
Contact Person: Connye Hart
Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church
2823 N. Houston St.
Fort Worth, TX76106
Church Phone: 817-6265592
Contact Person: A. B. Lampkin
Southwood Baptist Church http://www.southwoodfw.com/
2633 Alta Mesa Blvd.
Fort Worth, TX 76133
Church Phone: 817-294-5822
Contact Person: Ronda Davis
Trinity Baptist Church http://www.tbctexas.org/
2212 N. Davis Dr.
Arlington, TX 76012
Church Phone: 817-460-7940
Contact Person: Benjamin Davis
Networks, Associations, and Agencies
“Texas’ largest deaf network and newsletter” offers a wealth of information and links.
A membership organization for persons who are D/deaf or hard of hearing, providing information and advocacy on various issues affecting the lives of people who are D/deaf or hard of hearing.
NAD promotes deaf awareness, culture, language, and heritage; promotes networking, advocacy, future leadership development, and communication access; influences public policy; and provides information and referral.
State agency for providing and coordinating services, including communication access, interpreter certification (BEI), Hearing Loss Resource Specialist program, Deafness Resource Specialist program, telephone access (STAP), senior citizens services, college tuition waiver, and consumer training and education.
Fort Worth Regional Day School for the Deaf Alumni Association http://www.ftwrdsdaa.org.
Annual picnic and networking for former students, faculty, and staff of FWISD RDSD.
Education Resources for Deaf Students and Their Parents
AGBell offer information and advocacy on Auditory-Oral education for deaf and hard of hearing children.
American Society for Deaf Children http://www.deafchildren.org/ ASDC began as a parent-helping-parent network. It is now a national, independent non-profit organization providing resources for parents of deaf children. Its publication is The Endeavor.
Texas School for the Deaf (TSD) http://www.tsd.state.tx.us/ TSD offers accredited academic programs and extracurricular activities to deaf and hard of hearing students, ages 0-22. Focuses on academics, personal development, and relationships.
“Gallaudet University is the world leader in liberal education and career development for deaf and hard-of-hearing undergraduate students. The University enjoys an international reputation for the outstanding graduate programs it provides deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing students, as well as for the quality of the research it conducts on the history, language, culture, and other topics related to deaf people. In addition, the University's LaurentClercNationalDeafEducationCenter serves deaf and hard-of-hearing children at its two demonstration schools and throughout the nation by developing, implementing, and disseminating innovative educational strategies.” (Copied 11/21/07)
SWCID, part of HowardCollege in Big Spring, is the only community college program just for deaf and hard of hearing students in Texas.
TSTC Waco offers over 100 associate’s degrees in technical fields, along with special accommodation for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Accommodations include interpreters and note takers. Areas of study include: agriculture; information technology and telecommunications; engineering and manufacturing; health and science; business, commerce and service; and transportation and aviation. Hands-on learning by experience is emphasized.
By a parent for parents, Listen-Up offers a vast array of links and other resources on deafness, hearing loss, and education. While some of it is outdated, it is still useful.
Research on Hearing Loss and Deafness
Associated with Gallaudet University, “GRI researchers gather and analyze data concerning the social, academic, and perceptual characteristics of deaf and hard of hearing populations, primarily to provide information needed by educators in the field. Staff are skilled in various research methodologies including surveys, test norming & assessment, ethnographic studies, clinical studies, and information management.” (Copied 11/21/07)
One of the Institutes of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), NIDCD conducts and supports “biomedical and behavioral research and research training in the normal and disordered processes of hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, and language” and related health issues. (Copied 11/21/07)