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 only a few DHH attendees, we provide “Flex” services (This is only available for hotel provided conventions). Our interpreters are scheduled for a set amount of hours, however it is the DHH attendees that choose how the hours are covered. For example: A Saturday event that runs from 10am-1am (15hours), 8 hours of flex scheduling will be decided by the group of attendees. If some DHH individuals want to attend a few panels in the morning or afternoon, then others want to attend late afternoon or late night, we “flex” our 8 hours to match the request of the attendees. This flex model helps to use the resources in a way that is intentional.

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.