Statewide Interpreter and CART Referral Service

The Department for Interpreter/CART Services provides a statewide Interpreter and CART Referral Service.

One of the functions of the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) is its statewide Interpreter and CART Referral Service. It provides referral services for sign language, spoken English, oral, tactile and close vision interpreting for Deaf and Deaf - Blind individuals, as well as making referrals to freelance CART providers for CART provision on behalf of heard of hearing and/or late deafened individuals in a wide variety of settings such as medical, legal, mental health, employment, education and recreational situations. Although there are fulltime staff interpreters employed by MCDHH, some requests are filled by freelance interpreters. All CART requests are filled by freelance CART Providers.

The interpreters referred by MCDHH are either certified by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. (RID), a nationally based professional organization, or have been screened and approved by MCDHH. All interpreters adhere to a strict code of ethics established by RID. CART providers are individuals who are certified as court reporters and meet strict professional standards as established by the National Court Reporters. They, too, have a strict code of ethics regarding the confidentiality of services provided.