Video Transcript: Finding the right interpreter makes all the difference...
(MUSIC)
TEXT: Congresswoman Hasting’s Staff Meeting – Week 1
MAN:
From what I’m seeing, you can wait until March or April for the re-elect because your base is strong and you’re going to have enough earned media by that time, that we can keep the war chest till late Spring. Now, that would be my recommendation. I can share data with you whenever you’re ready.
CONGRESSWOMAN:
Thanks, Steve. I think we can all agree on that. Dakota?
(DAKOTA SIGNS)
INTERPRETER:
I think if we go ahead and do the campaign and go towards…go towards the campaign that…
Can you back…? I’m sorry. Can you back up?
(DAKOTA SIGNS ‘TO WHERE?’)
INTERPRETER:
To the beginning. I’m sorry.
TEXT: Week 2
MAN:
If the Chairman won’t listen, and the Speaker doesn’t care, I say you take it to the President when he visits the caucus on Wednesday.
CONGRESSWOMAN:
I like it! Dakota?
(DAKOTA SIGNS)
(INTERPRETER GROANS)
DAKOTA:
Come on!
TEXT: Week 3
CONGRESSWOMAN:
Okay, Dakota, do you want to…?
(DAKOTA SIGNS ‘YOU BETTER NOT SUCK’ AND CONTINUES TO SIGN)
INTERPRETER:
Um… In the… In the last two weeks, we’ve seen a considerable uptick in constituency complaints regarding perceived A.D.A. violations. Which, in most cases, seem more like wilful disregard for civil rights than any misunderstanding of the legislation.
(MUSIC STARTS)
INTERPRETER:
We’ve been hearing that city officials are claiming some sort of “grandfather clause” permitting non-compliance with Title II in certain situations. Basically, exempting them from providing reasonable accommodations. One city official said that it’s just “small stuff.” “Small stuff”? What’s that? It’s only “small stuff” if you have a small enough mind not to understand how big things can be for real people with real problems.
And… A “grandfather clause”? We are in year 35 of the A.D.A. We should call it a “great-grandfather clause” if it’s anything. But it’s not anything. It’s made up.
We don’t “grandfather in” discrimination. We don’t “grandfather in” bigotry.
(APPLAUSE)
CONGRESSWOMAN:
Thanks, everyone. Great meeting today. Can I see you two over here?
(MUSIC)
DAKOTA: (signing to interpreter) I’m Dakota.
INTERPRETER: (signing to Dakota) I’m Matthew.
DAKOTA: (signing to interpreter) Wanna see my office?
