Susan O’Callaghan is a native of Cork City and has worked as an Advocate and Community Resource Officer for the Cork Deaf Association since 2001.

She sucessfully completed the SLIS Deaf interpreting accreditation (see below) in 2009, obtaining the R2 rating.

Susan is a member of CISLI and is on the CISLI Deaf Interpreting sub-committee.

Susan has been a Deaf Awareness trainer through Signature since 2006. She has attended numerous interpreting and Deaf-related workshops. More recently, she studied a Certificate in Equality Studies (Level 7), and the QQI Level 6 Information, Advice and Advocacy Course with the INOU.

You can contact Susan at: susan@corkdeaf.ie

What is a Deaf Interpreter?

An accredited Deaf Interpreter may be needed when the communication mode of a deaf consumer is so unique that it cannot be adequately accessed by interpreters who are hearing. Some such situations may involve individuals who:

• use idiosyncratic non-standard signs or gestures such as those commonly referred to as “home signs” which are unique to a family
• use a foreign sign language
• have minimal or limited communication skills
• are deaf-blind or deaf with limited vision
• use signs particular to a given region, ethnic or age group
• have characteristics reflective of Deaf Culture not familiar to hearing interpreters.