How It Works

If an event has the NERDterpreting team on-site, any Deaf or Hard of Hearing individual can use the Interpreter Request Line (provided at the location) for any language needs.

A DHH individual or group can enjoy the convention at their leisure without an interpreter following right behind.

If there is an panel, event, actor, cosplayer, retail booth, artist that anyone would like to chat with, the DHH individual would simply text the Interpreter Request Line, provide the booth number, location, or panel title and NERDterpreter will send interpreters to you.

Once the panel, conversation, or event is complete, the NERDterpreters will go back to their post and wait for further requests.

If there are scheduled events, you may be interested in later in the day, a request can be made to schedule interpreters to be present (such as a live demonstration, activity, or smaller side panel).

The Interpreter Request Line will respond quickly and provide interpreter arrival time.

Small Conventions

At smaller conventions with a limited number of DHH attendees, we offer Flex services (available only for hotel-provided conventions). Interpreters are scheduled for a set number of hours, and the DHH attendees collectively determine how those hours are used.

For example, at a Saturday event running from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. (15 hours total), eight hours of Flex coverage would be allocated based on attendee needs. Some individuals may prefer morning or early-afternoon panels, while others may attend later in the afternoon or evening. Interpreter coverage is “flexed” accordingly to meet those requests.

This Flex model allows resources to be used intentionally and efficiently while prioritizing attendee access.

Large Conventions

For larger conventions, we strive to cover all the main stage panels while providing teams of interpreters on-call for smaller panels, workshops, makeup demonstrations, meet and greet, and even ordering food.