The website for the Association of Sign Language Interpreters (ASLI) has some useful tips on working with BSL/English interpreters (see the 'Links' page).

Some of the important things to bear in mind are

Prior to the booking:

- provide the interpreter with preparatory information about the booking a few days in advance (eg: minutes, agenda, copies of overheads etc)

- for events of two hours duration or more, it is necessary to book two interpreters to work in rotation. This is due to the processes and concentration involved in working between two languages as an interpreter may be processing up to 20,000 words per hour.

During the booking:

- ensure that people only talk one at a time. Of course, this benefits other (non deaf) members of the event so that they can easily follow the discussion too

- in line with the Code of Conduct and Guidelines of Professional Practice from the National Register of Communication Professionals working with Deaf/DeafBlind People (NRCPD), interpreters cannot become involved in the event so please do not ask them to comment or otherwise become an active member of the event.

- confidentiality is paramount and is listed in the NRCPD's Guidelines of Professional Practice

- depending on the event, it may be necessary to include appropriate breaks. This is especially important if an interpreter is working solo for extended periods. These breaks will benefit the other (non deaf) participants and the deaf person(s) as well as the interpreter.