The DHHS Interpreter Service coordinates professional American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting services for West Michigan courts, hospitals, schools, government agencies, and all types of businesses. All of our interpreters are state qualified or nationally certified, in accordance with Michigan law. We match interpreters to your client’s specific communication needs. Our staff makes it easy for your organization to comply with state and federal laws guaranteeing equal communication access to your deaf and hard of hearing clients.
Our Grand Rapids office is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 616-732-7358. Sign Language interpreters are also available nights and weekends for medical or police emergencies. After business hours, a message will direct you to our pager number.
RATES (effective 10/1/09)
For each interpreting assignment, we charge an initial fee that covers up to 2 hours. For assignments lasting over 2 hours, additional hours are billed in quarter-hour increments. We also charge mileage. Please note our cancellation policy below.
Mon. – Fri. 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Initial fee $95.00; additional hours $47.50 per hour.
Mon. – Fri. 5 p.m. – 8 a.m., weekends, and holidays: Initial fee $115.00; additional hours $57.50 per hour.
Legal/criminal justice rate, Mon. – Fri. 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Initial fee $125.00; additional hours $62.50 per hour.
Legal/criminal justice rate, Mon. – Fri. 5 p.m. – 8 a.m., weekends and holidays: Initial fee $145.00; additional hours $72.50 per hour.
Less than 24 hours notice (one business day) for any assignment: $30.00 additional charge.
Mileage: The current federal rate, from the interpreter’s home address to the assignment location and back.
Long-distance mileage: Assignments over 100 miles round trip are charged an additional $.30 per mile, total distance, per interpreter.
Assignments over two hours in duration generally require two interpreters. Please contact our office for more information.
CANCELLATION POLICY: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services requires 24 hours notice (one business day) to cancel an interpreter. You will be charged the full contracted time if you cancel less than 24 hours prior to the appointment.