Why Translators & Interpreters with Disabilities Can Make a Difference

In case you missed it, October was National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), and this year’s official theme was “Access to Good Jobs for All.” So, it’s a good time to pause and consider the impact of hiring professionals, especially those with disabilities. 

NDEAM is an initiative of the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) at the U.S. Department of Labor. ODEP Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy Taryn M. Williams said, “Good jobs change lives and all workers—including disabled people—deserve the opportunity for success in high-quality, good-paying jobs in workplaces free of discrimination.”

With her words in mind, let’s take a closer look at the language industry and how businesses can benefit from working with translators and interpreters with disabilities.

Trends among translators and interpreters

The language industry supports activities bridging linguistic and cultural barriers, including translation, interpretation, localization, transcription, and subtitling. There are approximately 640,000 people employed in the industry worldwide (2023), with around 51,000 translators and interpreters (T&I) in the US (Statista). Although employment figures have declined in recent years, industry revenue is expected to grow in the United States and across the world.

In the T&I industry, most translators and interpreters are independent contractors. A 2020 ProZ survey of 7,000 T&I professionals from 178 countries reconfirmed this fact: 75% of respondents indicated they were self-employed freelancers.

In 2023, the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported that almost 22.5% of working-age individuals (16-64) self-identified as disabled. Not surprisingly, the ratio of T&I professionals with disabilities is the same.

The language industry has been a good fit for individuals with disabilities

Like most T&I professionals, many translators and interpreters with disabilities pursue the profession because of its independent nature, allowing them to set their own schedule, workload, and income strategy. The latter is particularly critical since research shows that the average adult living with a disability has to earn 28% more for the same standard of living as others on account of higher expenses like assistive technologies, medical bills, and transportation costs.

Another reason many language professionals with disabilities choose translation and interpretation is the flexibility to work from home and customize their working environment. Everything from ergonomic desks, chairs, or keyboards to the right lighting, room temperature, or noise can have a positive impact on their health.

Remember that while some disabilities are easily seen or detected by others, many are non-apparent. More and more workers, specifically ​​the youngest generation in the workforce (Gen Z), accept and openly embrace their non-visible disabilities like Asperger’s syndrome, dyslexia, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Moreover, recent studies have revealed that 92% of Gen Z say neurodiversity has intrinsic value in entrepreneurship. These factors also drive them to look for remote jobs or self-employment – and the language sector offers both. 

Translators and interpreters with disabilities benefit from unique skills and perspectives 

Many translation buyers have likely not considered the added value of working with a translator or interpreter with a disability, not to mention the benefits of hiring human T&I professionals. Here are just a few advantages:

• Innovative thinking and real-life DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) experience
  Translators and interpreters with disabilities bring a unique perspective. They have, most likely, experienced discrimination first-hand and understand the topic of diversity, equity and inclusion more than most.
• Optimal use of technology
  T&I professionals with disabilities are often tech savvy and open to new solutions because they utilize assistive technologies daily. They understand the importance of deploying technology skillfully to maximize quality and efficiency.
• Reaching broader audiences
  Translation and interpretation is about bridging the language gap, but T&I professionals with disabilities can expand your reach to include individuals with disabilities. Here are a few examples:
  • Sign language interpreters, many of whom are Children of Deaf Adults (CODAs), convey all auditory speech into sign language and all sign language into auditory speech so that everyone feels included and fully served. 
  • Audiovisual translators provide closed captioning, audio descriptions, and transcripts of videos to make them accessible to the visually or hearing impaired.
  • Localization translators pay specific attention to cultural, social, and linguistic nuances to ensure their translations feel local and that users with visual or hearing impairments have an authentic experience, for example, in video games and other interactive applications.

Like all translation and interpreting professionals, professional translators and interpreters with disabilities also have the necessary skills and expertise to ensure your translations are as good and effective as the original.

• Translation and interpreting skills
  T&I professionals have the knowledge and skills to transport your content into the target language accurately and in a way that resonates with readers. Being bilingual is merely one tool in their translation toolbox.
• Subject matter expertise
  Many translators and interpreters specialize in specific fields, working almost exclusively with industry texts and in real-world situations. This expertise means they understand industry terminology, concepts, and target audiences. 
• Cultural awareness and nuance
  Professional translators and interpreters understand the cultural differences between you and your target audience and recognize linguistic nuances others might miss. They are word nerds who enjoy nothing better than finding just the way to deliver your message and meet your objectives. 

Work with professional translators and interpreters

The month of October may be over, but it’s never too late to celebrate the talent of professionals, including those with disabilities, and the value they add.. T&I professionals ensure your foreign-language content resonates with the humans who read or hear them. So help our colleagues with disabilities continue to thrive as professional translators and interpreters by contracting or hiring them to support your efforts to reach audiences in foreign languages and make your content accessible to all.

To find and connect with professional translators and interpreters:

• Read “How to hire a translator: a quick and easy guide”
• Get the American Translators Association’s guide to buying translations
• Find a translator or interpreter in the ATA Language Services Directory

About the Author

Gosia Wheeler is a Polish to English translator specializing in Technology and Digital Accessibility translation. She is a member of the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) and a certified Accessible Documents Specialist (ADS). She is also an active contributor to the TED Translators program creating Polish and English subtitles for TED Talks. Her passion for inclusion and accessible communication in all languages led her to authoring articles for The ATA Compass, ATA Chronicle, and MultiLingual Magazine.a Polish to English translator specializing in Technology, Digital Accessibility, and Digital Communication translation. She is a member of the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) and a certified Accessible Documents Specialist (ADS). She is also an active contributor to the TED Translators program creating Polish and English subtitles for TED Talks. The American Translators Association represents almost 9,000 translators and interpreters in more than 100 countries. To hire a translation or interpreting professional, please visit pg3s.551827.com/directory.