Aims
Philosophy
Why Join ASLIA Vic?
Across the Board Magazine
The Committee
Publications
Awards
Mentoring
Promoting the Profession


Membership form
Bursary form
Funding form
Employment Contract
Conference Employment Contract


Where do I begin?
Learning Auslan
Diploma of Interpreting
Advanced Diploma of Interpreting
NAATI


Projects
Reports
President's Report


ASLIA National Policies
Code of Ethics
Bursary Policy
OHS Policy
Grievance Policy
Deafblind Interpreting Guidelines
Constitution
Policy and Procedures Manual


Research
Resources List
List Servs

Research

Madden, M. (2001). Doctoral dissertation.

Abstract

The issue of occupational overuse syndrome (OOS) for sign language interpreters has been largely neglected, both in terms of investigating the prevalence rates and the effects of OOS conditions upon the individuals' lives and attitude to their job.

This study set out to survey Australian Sign Language (Auslan) interpreters to determine the prevalence of OOS. To this end, interpreters in all states and territories of Australia were asked to complete a questionnaire on various aspects of their work history which may have contributed to occupational injury. The questionnaire also surveyed general positive and negative feelings about the job.

A total of 106 questionnaires were returned (a response rate of 64%) from all states and territories except the Northern Territory.

It was the opinion of the writer that the terms and conditions of employment for sign language interpreters in Australia vary greatly. Therefore, all interpreters who returned a questionnaire were asked to participate in a follow-up interview. During the interviews more specific issues of the interpreter's attitude to work and features of work organisation (such as rates of pay, tenure, support and professional development opportunities) were explored.

In all, 93 face-to-face interviews were conducted with respondents from all states except the Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania.

Since the majority of sign language interpreters in Australia are women, the study also set out to examine the effects which the gender division of labour may have had on the occupational group. Results of this examination were used to formulate recommendations for the organisation of interpreting work.

Definitions of OOS were also explored in the study, along with an overview of research into overuse injuries.

Analysis of the data from questionnaires and interviews indicated that 22% of the respondents had sustained an overuse injury. A further 10% of respondents reported symptoms indicative of overuse injury, for which no medical advice had been sought.

Of serious concern was the fact that many respondents reported that the overuse injury they suffered significantly affected their ability to perform a variety of everyday tasks, such as showering or bathing, dressing and cutting food.

The study concludes with a series of recommendations to improve the working conditions of sign language interpreters. Recommendations include the following: education of sign language interpreters and their employers on occupational health matters, establishment of pay scales, and development and dissemination of guidelines on appropriate hours of work.

The aim of the recommendations is to prevent the spread of OOS in this occupational group and to provide valuable support and training in order to enhance the professional development of sign language interpreters in Australia.