AIDB ASL Intern Pool (Unpaid)

POSITION:  ASL Interpreter Intern

LOCATION: Multiple - AIDB Office of Accessibility

ABOUT ALABAMA INSTITUTE FOR DEAF AND BLIND

Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) is the world’s most comprehensive education, rehabilitation, and service program serving individuals of all ages who are Deaf, Blind, DeafBlind, multidisabled, and their families. Founded in 1858, AIDB serves more than 30,000 infants, toddlers, children, adults, and senior citizens with hearing and vision loss throughout Alabama each year.

Our services span a lifetime and include five campuses in Talladega, a statewide network of regional centers, Early Intervention services, traditional and nontraditional educational opportunities in residential, day, and outreach settings, and a manufacturing facility known as Alabama Industries for the Blind (AIB), the state’s largest employer of adults who are Blind. AIDB’s three K-12 schools — Alabama School for the Blind, Alabama School for the Deaf, and Helen Keller School of Alabama — provide specialized educational services that empower students to achieve their full potential.

Our employees are among the organization’s most valuable assets and resources. We share a commitment to leveling the playing field for all. Our mission makes AIDB a unique place to work.

ABOUT THE ROLE

In this role, you will work directly with students who are Deaf, Blind, DeafBlind, or have multiple accommodation needs. Partnering closely with an Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) interpreter mentor who meets specific institutional requirements, you will provide essential interpreting services to students and staff who use sign language to communicate. To support your professional growth and ensure quality, interns are never required to interpret without their assigned mentor present. Ultimately, the successful candidate will actively champion AIDB’s culture of inclusion, ensuring that all students feel deeply connected, recognized, and proud.
 

Academic Alignment & Syllabus Satisfaction
This internship position is designed to officially align with the intern's respective accredited college or university school syllabus. AIDB will work cooperatively with the intern's academic institution to satisfy formal class requirements, practicum/fieldwork hours, or specific course objectives required for graduation.

Candidates must submit an internhip agreement for credit from their university to be considered.

Internship Opportunities 

1. Summer Camps

In this department, the focus is on experiential, fast-paced, and transitional learning. Interns support students who are navigating the bridge between school and the working world.

• Program Integration: Interns work directly with students participating in the various summer camps across AIDB.

• Interactive Teaming: Interns partner directly with an assigned mentor interpreter to provide sign language interpreting services for both students and staff in real-time.
• Field Supervision: Interns accompany students and staff to off-campus job placement sites, educational field trips, and various community locations.

• Adherence to Policy: Interns apply the AIDB Communication Policy directly in recreational, social, and professional summer settings.

2. K-12 Educational Environments

This pathway embeds interns into structured academic settings, allowing them to observe and assist with the developmental and educational milestones of younger students.

• Age-Divergent Exposure: Interns gain experience working within a system that serves infants, toddlers, children, and youth.

• Educational Interpreting: This department provides direct exposure to formal educational interpreting, helping interns satisfy specific classroom-based syllabus requirements.
• Team Collaboration: Interns work cooperatively as a team with academic and residential staff to ensure students' educational and accommodation needs are met.

• Role Modeling: Interns conduct themselves and dress professionally to set a positive, academic-appropriate example for K-12 students.

3. Community Interpreting

Operating in the community department exposes interns to real-world, unpredictable, and highly professional scenarios involving a wide range of stakeholders.

• Broad Demographics: Interns provide service delivery and exposure to individuals of all ages and diverse backgrounds across the state.

• Real-World Application: This setting fulfills the program’s commitment to providing comprehensive exposure to community interpreting.
• Ethical Practice: Interns must constantly utilize and implement their knowledge of the NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct (CPC) during diverse community assignments.

• Adaptability: This department requires a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, to respond directly to evolving community and student program needs.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Enrolled in courses leading to a degree in Interpreting.
• Must submit a sign language sample submission to the Director of Interpreting Services.

• Must possess and maintain a valid Alabama Driver License and reliable transportation.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist their assigned mentor in providing comprehensive interpreting services.
• Conduct oneself and dress in a professional manner that sets a positive example for the students.
• Work cooperatively as a team with other staff members to best serve the consumers.
• Strictly follow the AIDB Communication Policy while working with students with hearing and/or vision differences.
• Deal with emergency situations in a calm, safe, and logical manner.
• Report to their assigned mentor.
• Ability to utilize sign language as both expressive and receptive communication.
• Functional knowledge of the NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct (CPC).

• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, based on interpreting needs.

   

Upon offer of employment, the applicant must submit to a fingerprint background check at an agency designated and paid by AIDB. This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job goals, qualifications, and responsibilities, and the employee may be required to perform other related duties as assigned.

SALARY & BENEFITS

• Salary: unpaid
• On-campus housing options may be available

• Meals and/or program activity expenses are included with the internship.