Speaks directly to the Deaf participant
Ask the question the same way you would if no interpreter were present.
American Sign Language interpreting across the United States
American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting Services
Coordinate a professional ASL interpreter for healthcare, legal, education, government, workplace and other conversations where Deaf and hearing participants need to communicate directly.
How we work with your organization
Interpreter requests built around the assignment, not a fixed plan
There is no minimum number of requests and no subscription required to work with TMVO. A single appointment and a recurring need go through the same request process.
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No minimum usage
Request a single ASL assignment or set up an ongoing arrangement. Neither option requires a contracted volume.
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No subscription or retainer
Pricing is set per assignment, or by package if that fits how your organization uses interpreting. There is no monthly fee required to access interpreters.
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Reviewed case by case
Before an interpreter is assigned, we look at the setting, the subject matter, the participants and any credential requirements specific to that request.
There is no minimum number of requests and no subscription required to work with TMVO. A single appointment and a recurring need go through the same request process.
Request an ASL Interpreter
ASL rates
Transparent pricing for ASL interpreting
Video Remote Interpreting is billed per minute. In-person ASL assignments are billed per hour, with a two-hour minimum.
Most common
Video Remote Interpreting (VRI)
American Sign Language (ASL)
USD 3.25 / min
- No minimum fees
- On-demand or scheduled sessions
In-Person (On-Site)
American Sign Language (ASL)
USD 200 / hr
- 2-hour minimum
- Billed in 15-minute increments
Rates shown apply to ASL assignments. Final pricing is confirmed based on the specific request.
A visual language
A clear ASL conversation depends on the full visual field
American Sign Language has its own grammar and structure. Meaning is carried through signs, movement, facial expression and the space around the signer.
This is one reason video works so well for many ASL assignments. With the right camera position and a reliable connection, the interpreter can see the face, hands, arms and full signing space throughout the conversation.
01FaceExpression and visual cues stay visible.
02HandsSigns and fingerspelling are not cropped.
03Signing spaceMovement remains inside the frame or line of sight.
04ContextThe interpreter can follow who is speaking and what is happening.
During the conversation
Speak to the person. The interpreter handles the language exchange.
The interpreter is there to make the conversation accessible, not to become the person you are speaking with. Eye contact, questions and decisions should stay between the participants.
Interprets meaning in both directions
Listens to spoken communication, signs it, then voices what the Deaf participant signs.
Responds directly in ASL
The conversation continues between the people who actually need to communicate.
Look at the person you are speaking with. The interpreter will position themselves where the exchange can be followed comfortably.
One person at a time helps. Rapid overlap is harder to interpret clearly, especially in group discussions.
Share specialized material early. Agendas, terminology, names, presentations and case-specific vocabulary can help an interpreter prepare.
Choosing the format
Most ASL interpreting is handled by video. On-site is available when the situation calls for it.
Video Remote Interpreting is the most frequent format for ASL assignments at TMVO. It gives the interpreter the visual access ASL requires while joining the appointment remotely.
Video Remote Interpreting Most common
The usual way we coordinate ASL interpreting
- The interpreter joins the appointment or meeting by live video
- Camera framing keeps the face, hands and signing space visible
- No interpreter travel or room-level coordination is required
- Works well for most medical, education and workplace conversations
In-person ASL Also available
When having the interpreter in the room is a better fit
- The Deaf participant prefers an interpreter physically present
- The interaction is long, complex or highly interactive
- The environment cannot provide a reliable video setup
Need an ASL interpreter for a specific conversation? Send the date, time and length and we will coordinate it.
Request an ASL Interpreter
Where ASL interpreters are used
The language stays ASL. The assignment changes with the setting.
A school meeting, a medical consultation and a deposition use different terminology and pacing. That context belongs in the interpreter request.
01
Healthcare
Medical history, informed consent, treatment discussions and behavioral health conversations.
SymptomsDiagnosisConsentMedication
02
Legal
Attorney-client meetings, depositions, interviews and hearings where terminology and neutral role boundaries matter.
TestimonyExhibitsObjectionStatement
03
Education
IEP meetings, parent-teacher conferences, evaluations and enrollment conversations.
IEPEvaluationServicesPlacement
04
Government and public services
Appointments, interviews, benefits and community meetings.
EligibilityBenefitsApplicationPublic meeting
05
Workplace and business
Interviews, onboarding, training, safety meetings and internal events.
BenefitsTrainingSafetyPolicy
Interpreter matching
Knowing ASL is only one part of the assignment
Interpreting asks a professional to process meaning in real time, understand both participants, stay impartial and handle the vocabulary used in the setting.
TMVO works with professional, certified interpreters and verifies credentials. We also use the assignment details to look for relevant subject experience. A clinical consultation, legal proceeding and IEP meeting should not be treated as interchangeable simply because all three involve ASL.
If your organization requires a specific credential, license or qualification for the assignment, include that in the request.
Why choose TMVO
An ASL interpreter matched to your conversation, not just someone who signs
Here is how TMVO's approach to ASL assignments compares to a typical agency structure.
| Feature | TMVO | Traditional agency model |
|---|---|---|
| Contracts and commitments | No mandatory contract or monthly commitment. Request one assignment or set up ongoing service. | Service may be structured around retainers, contracts or fixed commitments. |
| Usage requirements | Suitable for a single interpreting request or recurring assignment volume. | Plans may include minimum usage levels or predefined service volumes. |
| Access and scheduling | Requests can be submitted 24/7. Scheduling depends on interpreter availability for the requested format. | Access may depend on contracted schedules, business hours or a separate quoting process. |
| Subject-matter matching | Interpreters are matched by language, assignment type and relevant experience in medical, legal, education and other fields. | Some providers route assignments to the next available interpreter without matching subject experience. |
| Video and in-person options | Both formats are available and confirmed based on what the assignment requires. | Some providers offer only one format or route each format through a separate process. |
| Pricing options | Per-assignment and package arrangements are available based on your organization's needs. | Retainers, fixed plans, setup costs or platform fees may apply depending on the provider. |
This reflects TMVO's own standard for ASL assignments. It is not a claim about any specific company or provider.
Before you request
Five details that help us coordinate the right ASL interpreter
You do not need a long brief. A few precise details tell us much more than a request that only says "ASL interpreter needed."
Date, time and duration
Include the start time, time zone and expected length.
Video or in-person
ASL is usually coordinated by video. If you need the interpreter on site instead, see In-Person Interpretation Services and include the city and venue.
Type of conversation and participants
"Orthopedic follow-up with two family members" tells us more than "medical appointment."
Credential requirements
List any credential, license, clearance or organization-specific requirement that applies.
Materials or terminology
Agendas, presentations, names and specialized terms can help the interpreter prepare.
Useful request example
"ASL by video, Tuesday at 2:00 PM, 60-minute IEP meeting with parents, teacher and school specialists. School-specific credential requirements are attached."
Not sure whether video or in-person fits your assignment? Describe it in the request and we will help you decide.
Request an ASL Interpreter
How to request service
A short request gives us enough to start coordinating
Availability can vary by location, timing, format and required qualifications. We confirm what can be arranged for the specific request rather than promising a generic response time.
Request an ASL InterpreterSend the assignment details
Date, time, modality, setting and any requirements you already know.
We review the context
We use the subject and communication needs to determine the right interpreter match.
We coordinate availability
For most requests, we coordinate a live video session. If the assignment needs to be in person, we also account for location and travel.
You receive confirmation
We confirm the arrangement and any practical information needed before the session.
FAQ
Common questions about ASL interpreter services
These are the practical questions organizations usually need answered before requesting an interpreter.
What are ASL interpreting services?
ASL interpreting supports live communication between people who use American Sign Language and people who use spoken language. The interpreter processes meaning in both directions in real time so the participants can communicate directly.
Is an ASL translator the same as an ASL interpreter?
People often search for "ASL translator," but live communication is generally called interpreting. Translation normally refers to written content. If you need someone to join a live appointment, meeting, interview or event, you are usually looking for an ASL interpreter.
When is ASL interpreting done by video versus in person?
Video Remote Interpreting is the most frequent format for ASL assignments at TMVO, since a properly framed video session gives the interpreter clear visual access. In-person interpreting is a better fit for long or highly interactive sessions, environments where people move around, unreliable video conditions or when the participant prefers the interpreter present. See In-Person Interpretation Services for details on how those requests work.
How far in advance should we request an ASL interpreter?
Send the request as soon as the appointment or event is known. On-site assignments need time for interpreter selection, scheduling and travel coordination. Availability also varies by location, timing and required qualifications, so we confirm each request individually rather than publish one universal lead time.
Are TMVO ASL interpreters certified?
TMVO works with professional, certified interpreters and verifies credentials. If your assignment requires a particular certification, license, clearance or other qualification, include it in the request so we can confirm the appropriate match.
Can a family member or bilingual staff member interpret instead?
Knowing some sign language and working as an interpreter are different things. Professional interpreting requires receptive and expressive skill, impartiality and the ability to handle the vocabulary used in the situation. Organizations covered by accessibility laws should also review the specific effective-communication requirements that apply to them.
Does hiring an ASL interpreter automatically make an organization ADA compliant?
No single service automatically guarantees ADA compliance. Effective communication depends on the person, the communication method they use, the nature and complexity of the interaction, and the setting. A qualified sign language interpreter can be an appropriate auxiliary aid in many situations, but organizations should assess their obligations for the specific circumstance.
Can we request an ASL interpreter near us?
TMVO serves clients throughout the United States. Most ASL assignments are coordinated by video, so location isn't a factor. For an in-person interpreter, see In-Person Interpretation Services and send the city, venue, date and duration.
What information should we send with the request?
Send the date, time, expected duration, type of conversation, number of participants and any credential or communication requirements you already know. For video, tell us how participants will join. For in-person interpreting, include the city and venue.
Ready to coordinate the assignment?
Tell us where, when and what the conversation is about
Add the setting and any credential or communication requirements you already know. We will use those details to coordinate the ASL interpreter request.
Request an ASL Interpreter
Tell us about the conversation
For most requests, send the date, time, expected length and a short description of the conversation. ASL is usually coordinated by video. If you specifically need the interpreter on site, include the city and venue as well.
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