Hiring & Onboarding
- Difficulty or inability to conduct employment interviews
- Confusion during orientation and training
Federal Government
Unlock the potential Deaf access in the federal government
Support Deaf federal employees and stakeholders with clear, accessible communication that strengthens efficiency, equity, and productivity across every agency and department.
Why Birnbaum Interpreting Services for Federal Government
The U.S. federal government set a leading example for ADA law, particularly through its championing of Deaf access services. Our first customer, back in 1995, was the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and BIS has contracted with the federal government ever since. We continue to serve Deaf federal employees and stakeholders with modern access services that allow tens of thousands of Americans, who would otherwise struggle to participate in basic jobs, contribute to our economy.
Deep experience with Deaf access at the federal level, across dozens of agencies
Scalable ASL interpreting and Deaf access services for thousands of Deaf employees across disparate agency functions, tasks, and subject matter
Compliance-ready support, including HIPAA and WCAG communication standards
Supporting clear communication at all levels of the federal government, from TSA airport agents to the Executive Office of the President.
Strong track record in safety-critical operations, both physical and digital.
All signed dialects supported by industry-specialized interpreters and regulatory-aware teams.
Frictions in government
The size, scope, and protocol of the federal government makes procurement of proper accessibility services a consistent challenge. Small gaps in language, documentation, or digital content often erect barriers against the free flow of information and communication. The BIS team has witnessed a wide range of challenges arising from access breakdowns.
Daily Participation
- Meaning and nuance lost during meetings, development, and events
- Confused or mixed dialects for given employee
Employee services & support
- Trainings and meetings left inaccessible
- Lack of ASL Localization or Captioning for content and media
Staff training & preparedness
- Limited access for ongoing training and development
- Inconsistent accessibility practices agency-wide
Federal contractors
- Federal vendors and contractors without access
- Wasted time and resources
Contract monitoring
- Inaccurate or incomplete performance assessments (CPARS)
- Delayed intervention due to miscommunication
Digital media and content
- Interfaces not accessible to public
- Lack of ASL Localization or Captioning across tools
Public-facing events and conferences
- Failure to provide live interpretation or captioning
- Inaccessible media provided at or after events
Our Services
Impact on Federal Government
01
Consistent communication & equitable access
Clear, accessible information for all federal employees and stakeholders—reducing misunderstandings, supporting engagement, and strengthening federal-wide equity.
02
Improved productivity and outcomes for Deaf employees and stakeholders
03
Reduced administrative burden for staff
04
Stronger agencies, departments, and teams
05
Future-ready communication systems
BIS provides Deaf, digital, and spoken language access services for federal agencies and departments nationwide. We deliver services that support Deaf and hard-of-hearing students, families, and staff across K–12 and higher education. Services include:
- American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting
- Video Remote Interpreting (VRI)
- CART captioning
- ASL Localization & Postproduction
- Spoken Language Interpreting
- Document Translation & Transcription
These Deaf access solutions help schools ensure equal access across all agency and departmental functions.
Video remote interpreting (VRI), also known as video interpreting services or VRI interpreting services, connects users to a qualified ASL interpreter through secure video technology in real time. Federal agencies use VRI for virtual meetings,whether prescheduled or last-minute, and hybrid environments, in which some participants are present but others not. BIS also provides VRI when an agency has not been able to secure an in-person interpreter.
VRI is a flexible, cost-effective way to provide sign language access without needing an onsite interpreter, while still meeting ADA requirements. In terms of availability and flexibility, VRI is the best option.
Yes. BIS can provide experienced ASL interpreters, deaf interpreters, and ASL translators who understand the nuances of any federal environment. Whether supporting trainings, meetings, or general workplace communication, BIS ensures effective communication tailored to the environment, subject matter, and culture of your agency and team. Our interpreters are trained to support a wide range of learning and communication styles.
ASL refers to American Sign Language, a complete, visual language with its own grammar and structure. BIS provides professional ASL interpreting services and ASL translators to support employees, stakeholders, and any public engagement who rely on sign language for communication. As a Deaf-founded interpreting agency, BIS brings lived experience and cultural understanding to every request for services, helping agencies and departments deliver authentic and effective accessibility.
In addition to sign language and video remote interpreting services, BIS offers CART captioning services, sign language postproduction, consultation, and tailored Deaf access solutions that enhance inclusion across service lines, internal administration, and agency-customer engagement. These services help agencies go beyond basic compliance and create environments where Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can fully participate, professionally and socially.
Ready to create a more inclusive, accessible space?
We're here to help. Contact BIS to support your Deaf access needs, ensure compliance, and build community.
By submitting this form, you agree to receive marketing emails from BIS. You also agree to BIS's Privacy Policy.
