Bridge to Practice Program

Project CLIMB Bridge to Practice Program

Bridge to Practice Program

The Bridge to Practice program was a facilitated training for participants who had successfully completed the Legal Interpreter Training (LIT) program. This program offered a dynamic and interactive training curriculum that built off the foundation of the LIT program. Bridge to Practice focused on discourse analysis, translation of legal documents, discussions of the interpreting work, and engaged participants in self-reflective strategies. The curriculum provided a five-month deeper study for ASL/English interpreters in the legal specialty. The training included a structure and approach for greater application of knowledge and skills.

Program Information

The Bridge to Practice program served to increase the number and quality of mentors in legal settings.

Pie chart for overall impact of the LIT Program

Of the 39 participants, 33 participants (84.6%) were Project CLIMB’s target audience of Deaf, Coda, & POC.

Pie chart showing break down of hearing, Coda, & Deaf participants in the LIT Program

Of the 39 participants, 25 participants (64.1%) were Project CLIMB’s target audience of Deaf & Coda.

Pie chart showing break down of white & BIPOC participants in the LIT Program

Of the 39 participants, 17 participants (43.6%) were Project CLIMB’s target audience of BIPOC.

The program was open to any interpreter who completed the Legal Interpreter Training program.

The Bridge to Practice program covered multiple topics that resulted in a deeper study and application of legal knowledge and skills for interpreters working in legal and court settings. The curriculum expanded on the foundational knowledge of the Legal Interpreter Training program.

The curriculum consisted of 5 modules.

The Program Map for the Bridge to Practice program served as an “at-a-glance” reference guide that participants used to see the overall flow for program’s modules.

The five (5) module curriculum totaled 50 hours of training over 5 months.

Program Cohort

Project CLIMB recognizes the hard work and dedication of the participants who have successfully completed* the Bridge to Practice program. To search for qualified interpreters, visit the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) website.

*Successful completion of this training does not provide endorsement of the participant’s language fluency or skills as an interpreter.

Participants (Fall 2020)

by first name; NOTE: 1st column are first names starting with A-C, 2nd column is D-J, 3rd column is K-N, and 4th column is P-T.

  • Alicia Mcclurkan
  • Alyssa Kurth
  • Ariana Saccente
  • Beatrice Amaro
  • Belinda De Paz
  • Brenda Lee
  • Brent Tracy
  • Carie Barrett
  • Carla Shird
  • Catherine (Catie) Eller
  • Churyl Zeviar
  • Denise Green
  • Earnestine (LaVerne) Lowe
  • Ellen Snowden (Corpora)
  • Heather Schmerman
  • Jaclyn Terrio
  • Jennifer Gates
  • Jenny Buechner
  • Joanne Smith-Malinka
  • Joe Toledo
  • Katrina Watton
  • Kevin Harrer
  • Kris Courson
  • Letitia Bynoe
  • Leticia (Letty) Moran
  • Mona Mehrpour
  • Naomi Sheneman
  • Nicole Shambourger
  • Pamela Collins
  • Patrick Harris
  • Pauline Ballentine
  • Phyllis (Dora) Rifkin
  • Rachel Kleist
  • Scottie Allen
  • Shawn Vriezen
  • Susan Elizabeth Rangel
  • Tia Ivanko
  • Tiffany Green
  • Tracy Cummins

Grant Recognition

The contents of the Project CLIMB website was developed under a grant (#H160D160001) from the Department of Education. The contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education. Do not assume endorsement by the Federal government.

As of December 31, 2021, this grant project is no longer active or soliciting applications.
This website will remain available as a resource.

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