Q. Who is considered limited English proficient as it relates to
a hearing before the Commission?
A. A limited English proficient individual is a person who
is unable to speak, read, write or understand the English
language at a level that permits him or her to understand and
communicate effectively in a hearing before the Commission.
Q. What languages are available to witnesses through the
Commission's Interpreter Program?
A. The
Commission provides Interpreter Program support for any language
wherein a qualified interpreter is available. In addition to a
staff interpreter, the Commission uses several approved
contractors who provide interpreter services in a wide variety
of languages. Q. Is
there a charge for this service?
A. The Commission
pays for this service only if the Commission arranges for the
interpreter. If an attorney representing either party chooses to
bring their own court-certified interpreter, the Commission will
not pay for this service. The Commissioner scheduled to hear the
case must approve the use of an interpreter if it has not been
secured by the Interpreter Program Office.
Q. How are requests for interpreter services made?
A. Requests for an interpreter can be made by telephone, email
or written request by mail. Parties must
request such support within 10 days from the date that the
hearing notice is issued. This date is located at the top of
the hearing notice, below the page number indicator.
The Commission will not honor requests received after that date.
We will accept requests from claimants, witnesses and their
attorneys.
Q.
What if the hearing is cancelled or continued and then
rescheduled?
A. The Interpreter Program Office at
the Commission should be contacted immediately when a hearing is
continued so that the interpretive services may be cancelled in
a timely manner. If a hearing is rescheduled and an interpreter
is still needed, you must again request an interpreter for the
rescheduled hearing date. A new reservation number will be
provided. The Commission will not reschedule an interpreter for
a hearing without a new request.
Q. Is the interpreter briefed on the case issues and does he/she
talk to the person needing assistance before the hearing?
A. It is expected that the interpreter will meet the person
needing assistance before the hearing and explain how the
hearing process works with an interpreter and how they should
interact with each other during the hearing. The interpreter is
not to discuss or be briefed on the issues to be discussed in
the hearing. The interpreter's role is solely to provide
verbatim interpretation on what is said by the parties at the
hearing. Interpreters are instructed to interpret only the
spoken word, and under no circumstance, speak for the witness.
Q. What is the best way to find out the status of a claim or
hearing?
A. Because many cases are settled or stipulated before hearing,
claimants should contact their attorney first to obtain the most
up-to-date information on a scheduled hearing. The Commission's
automated telephone system provides hearing status on all cases.
The system can be accessed at 410-864-5100 and selecting option
'2' from the menu.
Q. What if an interpreter is no longer needed?
A. Call the Interpreter Program Office
(410-864-5299) immediately so that the
interpretive services may be cancelled in a timely manner.
Q. When will my claim be scheduled for hearing?
A.
Interpreter Program cases are set in the same manner as all
other cases. On occasion, a hearing involving Interpreter
Program individuals may need to be continued and rescheduled in
order to provide adequate time for the case to be heard. | 
