Demands Faced by Sign Language Interpreters at University of Education, Winneba

This study aimed at exploring the Demands for Sign Language Interpreters (SLI) at University of Education, Winneba. This study employed an Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods Design to answer the research questions. The researcher first conducted quantitative research, analyzed the results and then built on the results to explain them in more detail with qualitative responses. Out of a target population of 14 respondents, eight (8) were purposively sampled for this study due to the practical skills they had acquired in Sign language, including assistance given to the deaf at the University. Core issues include environmental, interpersonal, paralinguistic, and intrapersonal demands. The two main instruments used to gather data were a 24-item questionnaire with a four-point Likert scale and interview guide. Descriptive statistics involving simple percentages, mean, standard deviations and thematic approach were computed and used for the analysis. The findings indicated that Sign Language Interpreters (SLI) expressed strong concerns about the obstructions they encountered during an interpreting assignment, such as the speaker's accent, power dynamics and authority, the use of technical vocabulary and interpreting for long hours without rest. Therefore, it is recommended that there is a need to encourage SLI to go for further studies in the area of interpreting. Besides, the University can employ and retain experienced Sign Language Interpreters to work as interpreters for deaf students.