2024 Recipient: Susan Faltinson

Lynda Remmel MA, CSC, CI, CT, SC:L

Lifetime Legacy Achievements

Interpreting Instruction

•  Teaching Assistant, “Foundations of ASL Court Interpreting” by Carla Mathers, CO, 2020.
• Skills Specialist, Legal Interpreting Program-DO IT (Distance Opportunities for Interpreter Training) Center, Internship, University of Northern Colorado: 2003, 2007, 2010, 2013. 
• Faculty Member, DO IT Center, University of Northern Colorado, July 2010.
• Full-time Faculty and Program Director, Interpreter Preparation Program, Front Range Community College, 1986—2010.
• Faculty Member, Legal Interpreting Program-DO IT Center University of Northern Colorado, 2003.
• Faculty Member, American Judicature Society Workshops, Gallaudet University, Washington, DC 1996 and Woodland Hills, CA 1997.

Certified Interpreter

• Served as a pioneer in the emerging field of sign language Interpreting, becoming certified in 1975 originally with the CSC (Comprehensive Skills Certification). Later obtained further certifications: SC:L, CI, CT and NIC Advanced.
• Served as an interpreter in a variety of settings: legal, mental health, educational, platform, corporate, VRS (Video Relay Service), religious, workshop, and other community settings.

Local, State and National Leadership: 

RID (Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf), CIT (Conference of Interpreter Trainers), NCIEC (National Consortium of Interpreter Education Centers), CCDHHDB (Colorado Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind):

• Served as a board member of the CCDHHDB Legal Auxiliary Services Advisory Committee (LASAC), 2006-2013.
• Served as a member of the NCIEC: AA to BA Partnership Project Committee and Coordinator for Interpreting Services for the National Summit on AA to BA Partnership Conference, CO 2006-2007.
• Member of Colorado Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, 1986-present.

1. Past Chair of the Professional Development Committee.

• Served as a member of the Colorado RID Legal Interpreting Committee (LIC), 1986- present:

1. Past Chair of LIC.
2. Past Training Subcommittee Chair for LIC.
3. Key contributor to the creation of the Bench Card, currently in use in Colorado courts.
4. Developed and offered legal Interpreter training.

• Served as a board member for DOVE (Deaf Overcoming Violence through  Empowerment) 2004-2006.
• Served as Region 3 Representative for CIT 1999-2001.
• Served as member and Vice-chair for the RID SC:L Test Development Task Force for the most current SC:L Test, 1990-1998. 

1. The 1995 version of the SC:L was a significant shift from what the exam had been prior to that time—including court interpreting scenarios, police interviews and client-attorney meetings.  The task force also developed the rater training for this certification exam, implemented the rater training, and monitored the effectiveness--reliability and validity--of the exam.

Professional Impact Projects and Contributions

•  Key participation in the production of Interpreting in the American Legal System 12-part videotape series and workbook, published by Sign Media in 1996. Legal interpreter training material was the first of its kind produced for sign language interpreters and served as the legal training standard for many years.
• Developed an Interpreter Training Program of high rigor:

1. Developed rigorous prerequisites and course competencies. 
2. Co-created challenging cutting-edge curriculum in keeping with increasing industry standards and growth.
3. Co-designed annual Silent Weekend immersion experience connecting students, the Deaf community and college instructors to achieve skill-building and cultural competence in a weekend mountain retreat environment.
4. Provided an in-depth integration of foundational models of interpreting, emphasizing among others, the work of S. Gish, D. Cokely and B. Colonomos, with a unique and transformational foundation of the Integrated Model of Interpreting (IMI) into a core coursework.

• Pursued collaborative work with the University of Northern Colorado to create a Colorado AA to BA transfer model, laying foundational groundwork for its use in Colorado.
• Instrumental in the establishment, with ongoing support, of RMDS (Rocky Mountain Deaf School), beginning in 1992.

1. Provided five-plus years of pro-bono interpreting for all facets of conception, development, building and opening of Colorado’s bilingual/bicultural charter school in Jefferson County, CO.

• Key contributor in the writing and revising of Colorado’s legal interpreting law, Appointment of Interpreters for Persons Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

1. Key contributor in writing and updating accompanying rules. 

Workshop Presenter, Trainer and Mentor

• Presented “Train the Trainer” workshops, offered yearly to train attendees how to offer effective skill-building workshops. 
• Worked in collaboration with interpreting and faculty colleague, Rachel Naiman, to develop and offer an in-depth legal interpreter training for interpreters interested in this arena. Offered in Colorado, Washington, South Dakota, and Florida 1983—2008.
• Collaborated in developing and offering Deaf/hearing Interpreter trainings.

1. Strong advocate for Deaf/hearing interpreter teams.

• Workshop developer and presenter for numerous additional workshops: national, regional, and state, beginning in 1980.
• Career-long mentor of interpreting instructors, students and interpreters.