Interview with former White House CDI Elsie Stecker
Alex (Daily Moth): I will show an interview with Elsie Stecker, a Certified Deaf Interpreter who was a familiar presence during the Biden administration, interpreting for the president and during press briefings.
[Video clip from CBS News / Credit: CBS News]
After the end of the Biden administration, Elsie posted on her Instagram that it was a profound honor for her to serve in the role but she is concerned that she could be the first and last CDI employed at the White House.
I asked Elsie to recap how she got this role in the first place.
Elsie Stecker: Sure! I’m happy to explain. First, we need to remember what it was during the Covid-19 pandemic. It was a difficult time - many people got sick and died. The Trump administration conducted Covid-19 briefings to inform the public about the federal government’s procedures to keep us safe and healthy. However, they hosted numerous briefings without ASL interpreters. The NAD and other Congressional representatives urged the Trump administration to provide ASL interpreters, but their requests were rebuffed. As a result, they decided to file a lawsuit in August 2020. A judge ordered the Trump administration to provide ASL interpreters so deaf people could understand real-time updates in ASL. When the Trump administration transitioned to the Biden-Harris administration in January 2021 – and when Biden started his presidency on January 20, and five days later, on Jan. 25, the Press Secretary Jen Psaki made an exciting announcement that the White House will provide ASL interpreters for POTUS remarks, press briefings, Covid-19 briefings, and more. The Biden-Harris administration implemented this because they valued access and inclusion. It’s important that you understand that the lawsuit applied only to Covid-19 briefings. However, the Biden-Harris administration chose to expand access across all their events rather than limiting access to Covid-19 briefings alone. Over time, they recognized that both Deaf and interpreting communities wanted a Deaf Interpreter to be on the screen. In the fall of 2021, they posted a job opening for a CDI position. I applied and was hired to work at the White House.
Alex: I asked her to describe what it looks like behind the scenes when she interpreted for the White House.
Elsie Stecker: Sure, I’m happy to elaborate. I had two different types of work experiences at the White House. The first was on-site, and the second was entirely remote. At the beginning, I worked in the EEOB building, which was adjacent to the White House. I was assigned to a large room on the second floor with a huge television screen. In that room, a colleague operated the camera and communicated with Master Control and us when they would start livestreaming. There was a camera and studio lights on me, and next to the camera, my team would feed (the message) to me, which I then interpreted into the final version. This was our typical routine from Mondays through Fridays. Over time, as Covid-19 spread, especially with the Omicron strain, it was decided that we would work remotely. That is when I started interpreting via Zoom. I realized this was a better setup because during the regular briefings, reporters would be wearing double face masks and it would make it difficult for my team to hear them clearly. We often weren’t sure what was being said. With Zoom, however, the audio was clearer and better. Also during the first (onsite) experience, I had no control on the camera’s zoom, and despite providing feedback, adjustments were limited. On Zoom (remotely), I could adjust the screen size to better frame my signing, whereas before, I had to sign larger to ensure visibility. With Zoom, I could sign more naturally. On a daily basis, we received prep materials such as remarks and potential responses for press briefings. I used a separate work phone and a work laptop since personal devices were not permitted. My team and I researched possible topics that will be covered, discussed sign choices and reviewed various countries’ signs. We conducted extensive research and reading, including watching “The Daily Moth.” We also received POTUS remarks in advance. It became a translation work rather than interpreting. However, the president sometimes went off-script, it was a mix of translating and interpreting, so we always had to be prepared for either scenario. Every day was different and I really enjoyed it. That was what my daily work looked like!
Alex: I asked her if she had any idea if the Trump administration will use interpreters and what she’s heard.
Elsie Stecker: Well, that’s up to the Trump administration on whether they’ll bring in an interpreter. I do not know. What I can share is that we’ve already developed guidelines and an internal structure for interpreting services, including how to make a request from vendors, along with specifications from them. We also developed an internal policy for ASL interpreting, along with best practices for large events where a CDI should be provided. We also developed best practices for press briefings and what we should expect from contractors and how we can support them. The guidelines are complete and it’s “gold.” The packet of information has been available since August and it includes everything needed to make their events accessible for everyone.
Alex: I asked if she could share what her plans are going forward with her profession as a CDI.
Elsie Stecker: I will always stay within the interpreting field, especially diplomatic interpreting. I really enjoy high-pressure or high stakes assignments like platform interpreting, live-streamed events, legal work and more. I’ll remain in this field. I also enjoy writing, teaching, conducting assessments, and I’ll continue doing that as well. However, after working for four straight years in a high-stress environment, I do need a break. After a few weeks, I’ll return to the profession. I’m particularly interested in the intersection of AI and sign language, especially how AI documents sign language. I’m eager to explore that field.
Alex: I asked her if she wanted to add anything.
Elsie Stecker: My position as a CDI is a political appointment. I’m one of 4,000 people who are political appointees. We’ve worked and served our country up to the end of an administration. When (the president) leaves, we all leave as well. The (next president) will hire the next 4,000 appointees. This is typical for every administration. Now, I’ve gotten some messages asking, “Where is the interpreter?” I understand your concerns. I encourage you to stay tuned with NAD’s posts as they communicate with us. I also suggest you follow their lead. We shouldn’t limit our focus to the White House alone. We should reach out to local and national TV networks to tell them that we want to see interpreters on the screen. It’s an American value to include everyone – especially Deaf people – and it’s the right thing to do.
Alex: Thank you so much, Elsie Stecker, for your time and for your service.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/white-house-hires-asl-sign-interpreters-deaf-community/
https://www.instagram.com/p/DE8i9ToPQN5/
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