The content included in this module provides:

• an introduction to the IRIS Project’s goals and approaches;
• resources that IRIS and others developed to address and explore the demand for effective rural interpreter practitioners; and
• opportunities to consider the challenges and opportunities of rural interpreting.

Intended Audience: Interpreting mentors, educators, practitioners, and students.

Prerequisite: Participants need ASL fluency to participate in the course.

Throughout the IRIS: Rural Interpreting: Challenges & Opportunities module, participants will experience the following:

• Exposure to the experiences of Deaf individuals who live in rural areas;
• Exposure to the experiences of interpreters who live in rural areas; and
• Exploration of the challenges and opportunities of rural interpreting. 

Upon completion of this module, participants will be able to: 

• Identify personal language models.
• Identify key challenges presented to interpreters in rural settings.
• Identify key challenges faced by rural deaf community members.
• Identify opportunities for future collaboration with rural deaf and interpreting communities.