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Workshop Description:
Entering the world of independent contracting can be both exciting and challenging for American Sign Language interpreters. This workshop will provide a comprehensive guide to navigating the business side of freelance interpreting, from negotiating pay and benefits to managing essential aspects like taxes, invoicing, and retirement planning. Attendees will learn practical strategies for setting competitive rates, communicating effectively with agencies and clients, and ensuring long-term career sustainability. Whether you are new to freelancing or looking to sharpen your skills, this session will empower you with the knowledge and confidence to thrive as an independent contractor in the interpreting field.
Educational Objectives:
Differentiate between the roles, responsibilities, and legal implications of being an independent contractor versus an employee.
Explain key business functions (HR, accounting, scheduling, and management) that freelance interpreters must manage independently.
Evaluate the personal and professional factors that contribute to an interpreter’s value and rate structure.
Apply foundational negotiation strategies and recognize common agency red flags.
Develop a draft rate and policy sheet.
Presenter Bios:
Amy Lankheit-
Amy Lankheit is a nationally certified sign language interpreter, the founder and Co-Owner of Sign Language Studios, LLC, where she also serves as the Director of Operations. A proud SODA, Amy grew up in Newaygo, Michigan before later moving to Southern Illinois. She attended John A. Logan Community College and graduated from their Interpreter Preparation Program in 2002, immediately beginning her career as a staff interpreter for Lakeland College and Eastern Illinois University.
Amy later relocated to Oklahoma City, where she expanded her skills across educational, community, and VRS settings. After moving to Middle Tennessee in 2012, she transitioned into full-time contract interpreting and built extensive experience in medical, mental health, legal, platform, government, media, performance, VRS, and VRI environments.
Amy founded Sign Language Studios with the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing community at the heart of its mission. What began with providing professional development for interpreters quickly expanded into a broader, community-centered vision. Today, Amy oversees all general operations at SLS, including interpreting services, consultative support, and agency-wide organizational management.
Her leadership, deep community ties, and dedication to ethical, accessible communication continue to drive the growth and impact of Sign Language Studios.
Kayla Geide-
Kayla Geide is a nationally certified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter and the Director of Professional Development at Sign Language Studios, LLC. She began interpreting in 2015 and has experience in a wide variety of settings, including education, VRS, medical, and community work. In her current role, Kayla oversees all professional development initiatives at SLS, where she designs, manages, and facilitates workshops, book studies, and continuing education opportunities for interpreters nationwide.
Kayla was raised in Key West, Florida, and moved to Orlando for college, where she earned her AA in Interpreting from Valencia College. She later transferred to the University of North Florida in Jacksonville and completed her BS in Interpreting. During her time at UNF, she had the opportunity to study abroad, focusing on the experiences of Deaf people in concentration camps during the Holocaust — a project that deepened her commitment to cultural competency and ethical practice within the interpreting field.
A few years after graduating, Kayla moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where she partnered with Amy Lankheit to build Sign Language Studios, LLC. Together, they have grown SLS into a thriving interpreting and education agency serving interpreters, Deaf consumers, and the broader community.
Kayla is passionate about supporting interpreters through meaningful, accessible, and high-quality professional development, and she is dedicated to fostering growth within the profession.
Disclaimer:
Should you require any accommodations, please contact us at kayla@signlanguagestudiosllc.com. This event upholds nondiscriminatory practices and encourages a learning environment of mutual respect and free from bias. Sign Language Studios is an Approved RID CMP Sponsor for Continuing Education Activities. This program will offer 0.25 PS CEUs, at the Little/None Content Knowledge Level.
For a full refund, contact SLS.
*Upon purchasing this workshop, you will receive an email with the Zoom link for the workshop. Please keep this email saved*