Council of Sign Language Interpreters (CISLI)
PRESS RELEASE
Council of Irish Sign Language Interpreters established, 8th May 2011
New national Irish Sign Language Interpreting council formed at historic meeting in Limerick
For the first time since 2007, Ireland has a new national representative association representing Irish Sign Language interpreters. The Council of Irish Sign Language Interpreters (CISLI) had its debut meeting on Sunday in Limerick’s Deaf Community Centre, where interpreters from all over the country gathered to usher in a new era for the profession. The Council’s Steering Committee has worked extremely hard since last November in preparing for the new organisation. All 24 attendees resoundingly approved this work as a basis for going forward.
The organisation, with a new Mission Statement, Constitution and Code of Ethics, will seek to place interpreters themselves firmly back at the centre of decisions made about sign language interpreting in Ireland – in full partnership with the Deaf community. “We believe the proposed organisational structure is the best way forward for us to embark on together,” said Chairperson Caroline O’Leary. “It is time for the Deaf and interpreting communities to initiate governance of ISL interpreting matters in Ireland. We are the service users and providers, and together we can and will pool our expertise to become the professional consultants in ISL interpreting matters.”
A new Committee has been formed, including Chairperson Caroline O’Leary, of the initial Steering Committee; Vice-Chairperson, Frankie Berry; Secretary, Cormac Leonard; Treasurer, Darren Byrne; Student Representative, Sarah Sheridan; and Irish Deaf Society representatives, John Fennell and Wendy Murray. For more information, please contact [email protected].
Please see attached Press Release.
Regards
Cormac Leonard
Secretary
Council of Irish Sign Language Interpreters
[email protected]