Interpreter Services at Michigan Medicine provides interpreting and translation services to patients of all languages throughout Michigan Medicine hospitals, clinics, and health centers including:
- Face-to-face interpreting in over 70 languages
- High-quality telephone interpreting in all languages
- Accurate translations of patient education materials and medical records
- Communication assistance for deaf, deaf/blind, and hard of hearing patients through the Deaf Access Program
- Language and cultural competency training for Michigan Medicine employees and others
- Interpreter skills training for working and aspiring interpreters
Most of our services are free for Michigan Medicine patients and providers.
Deaf Access Program
The Deaf Access Program provides a broad range of services to Deaf, Deaf/Blind, and Hard of Hearing patients and their families. We strictly comply with Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires that auxiliary aids and services be provided in healthcare settings. But we go above and beyond what the law requires, striving to meet all the communication needs of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing community in all medical situations.
For clinic appointments, procedures and inpatient encounters, we provide:
- Nationally certified and State qualified, medically-trained sign language Interpreters
- On-call interpreters for after-hours, weekends, and holidays
- Sign language interpreters for Emergency Room visits
- Public access Sorenson Video Phone in main lobby and in the Emergency Department
- Inpatient bedside Sorenson Videophone
- Pocket talkers
- Closed Captioning for waiting room and lobby televisions
- Inpatient room kit (includes information for staff, family, and patient regarding Deaf Access Program services)
Services and programs for Michigan Medicine staff and Sign Language interpreters include:
- In-services and training for faculty and staff
- Sign language interpreting and Deaf cultural education classes
- Medical terminology training for healthcare interpreting
- Medical Interpreter skills training through Bridging the Gap and workshops with Nigel Howard
- Ongoing support and professional development
- Michigan Medicine staff and contract interpreter meetings
For all Interpreter Requests
Please request an Interpreter when scheduling an appointment.
On weeknights, weekends, and holidays, page the on-call sign language interpreter at 31019.
To request a videophone, inpatient room kit, or auxiliary aide, contact Interpreter Services at (734) 936-7021 during regular business hours.
Questions and comments can be directed to [email protected].
Contact
Office hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 6:00pm. During non-office hours UMHS staff should use the After Hours Services.
Phone: (734) 936-7021
Email: [email protected]