Contact us by email at interpreting@alsglobal.net or via phone at 1-800-951-5020 for a free estimate on our ASL and CART services.

Trusted CART & ASL Services in Yuma, AZ

American Language Services has been helping businesses and other entities reach the deaf and hard of hearing community for more than 35 years. While in-person interpreting, at one time, was the only option, recent technological advances opened the door to other options. Since we offer full-service Video Remote Interpreting (VRI), this article will be comparing Virtual American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting with Communication Access Real-Time Translation (AKA- Closed Captioning & Real Time Subtitling) known as CART.

 Please note that according to the American Disability Act (ADA) that deaf and hard of hearing community have the legal right to receive full access through the use of ASL and or CART services. The ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and providing ASL interpreters for deaf individuals complies with federal law and promotes equal accessibility.

Some interesting Facts About the City of Yuma

• Yuma is billed as having the most extreme climate of any city in the United States. They have the most days above 90 degrees, the least annual precipitation at three inches, the least humidity, and the most sunshine of any city. In Yuma, shade is more valuable than most precious metals.
• The Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma is one of the premier training grounds for military pilots. In fact, nearly 80 percent of all marine pilot training is done within the bounds of their 2.8 million acre aviation and bombing land. While it means a noisy sky from time to time, it also means a free annual air show for residents.
• Though all ties to professional baseball are now gone from the city–the Desert Rats minor league team left in 2011 and the San Diego Padres Spring Training camp was moved by 1994–Desert Sun Stadium still plays host to a range of local events like the Yuma Taco Festival and the occasional concert.
• Coachella might not belong exclusively to Yumans but the traffic it brings through town every April sure makes it feel like a local event. Anyway, at a short two-hours’ drive from town, Yumans don’t even need to splurge on the overnight camping to enjoy the nation’s biggest and best annual music festival, so party on!
• Yuma is probably the only city in the nation that throws a party for lettuce, but the county’s biggest agricultural contribution is a reason for celebrating, says the City of Yuma. The City is also responsible for the annual holiday celebrations like the Dorothy Young Electric Light Parade and the opening of Christmas Village, which actually gives the local youth a chance to sled on real (manufactured) snow–pretty cool for the middle of the desert!
• There is a general consensus amongst fans of spicy food that the sabor de Mexico gets more and more diluted as you move north and east through the continental United States. That means that Mexican cuisine in Yuma is as authentic as you can get without having to order in Spanish.
• Opened in July 1875, the Yuma Territorial Prison was where gunslingers, stagecoach robbers, and every other brand of outlaw could expect to end up until the site was closed in 1909. The inspiration behind (and setting of) such films as “3:10 to Yuma” and “Rawhide,” more than 3000 criminals came through the stone arch entryway in the prison’s tenure.
• Residents of Yuma will likely become quickly acquainted with West Wetlands Park. Home to the annual Colorado River Crossing Balloon Festival and other community events, the 100-acre riverfront park was actually the Yuma landfill until about 1980. Today, the area features a paved walking trail and the large-scale Stewart Vincent Wolfe Memorial Playground, the design for which was inspired by local elementary school students before its construction in 2007.
• Though not well-known for professional sports, Yuma has produced a number of MMA fighters (namely Kevin Gastelum, Cain Velasquez and Edgar Garcia), many of whom train or have trained at local MMA gym The Chamber.
• For those in need of a gambling fix, Yuma has three Native American Casino resorts within a few miles of the city proper. Not into cards and slots? Though no official betting takes place there, stop by Lutes Casino on Main Street—Arizona’s oldest pool hall—for a day of saloon-style family fun and eats.
• Yuma County is the third largest producer of vegetables in the nation and actually supplies the United States with about 90 percent of their lettuce between the months of November and March. In fact, the area makes about half-a-billion dollars annually on lettuce alone. Basically, once the scorching summer is over, the climate in Yuma gives the region one of the nation’s longest growing seasons.
• In addition to being a retirement hotspot, more than 55 percent of Yuman adults are already married, compared to about 44 percent in Phoenix and 37 percent in Tucson. Sorry, Arizona Casanovas—if you’re looking for love, you should probably just start somewhere else.
• This is true, at least, during the annual Somerton Tamale Festival, put on each December by local El Diablito Arizona State Alumni Chapter. The event raises more than $50k annually to help support local students heading to Tempe for a university education through entertaining and flavorful means.
• Take a trip to the local Wild World Zoo and Camel Farm. Complete with a petting zoo and other critters like kangaroos, deer, and farm friendly beasts, kids and kids at heart can get up close and personal with the humpbacked heroes of this place. They might even get a chance to bottle-feed a five-foot calf. Watch out, though—these creatures have been known to spit from time to time.
• When someone says “desert,” the first thing you think of is probably a rolling hill of endless sand, à la the Sahara. Well, the Sonoran Desert of Arizona is more like a very thin forest compared to the Algodones Dunes just west of Yuma. This 250+ square-mile area includes the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area, which is where George Lucas goes to film deserts for Star Wars and where Yumans go to get off-road; nothing like a day of romping with sand in your teeth to get the adrenaline pumping.
• Looking for a way to waste a summer day and catch a few rays? Make a reservation to ride the Colorado River sans white water through Yuma River Tubing. The floats, which last several hours and end at West Wetlands Park, even present opportunities for night owls to relax on the water during their Full Moon Extravaganzas. Dogs are always welcome, but werewolves must be muzzled at all time.
• The renowned civil rights leader and founder of the National Farm Workers Association was a Yuman through and through—he spent his entire life as a resident of Yuma County until his death in 1993. Chavez’s legacy was critical in securing bargaining rights for seasonal farm workers and the effects of his efforts are still felt today in many ways.
• In addition to thousands of seasonal farm workers, Yuma County’s total population of around 200,000 supports about 33,000 people aged 65 or better—that’s right around 17 percent, for those that are counting (the national and Arizona state averages are both closer to 14 percent).
• Straddling the border between California and Arizona on the Colorado River, Yuma is also just 60 miles from the Gulf of California, so pack your swim trunks, throw some towels in a beach bag, and prepare yourself for some fun in the sun just south of the border.
• Between Castle Dome 40 miles north of Yuma and the abandoned mining town 25 miles to the west known as TUMCO, Yuma is literally surrounded by real-life ghost towns. Take a quick drive to get a taste of the Old West at its spookiest–just make sure you are back before dark.
• Hiking and camping are permitted on the 665k acre wilderness reserve known as Kofa Wildlife Refuge, but the primary purpose of the area is the protection of endangered desert species like the bighorn sheep and Sonoran pronghorn. Talk about wild, this is a chunk of desert that promises to stay untouched for generations.
• Though fishing and watersports might not be at the top of your list of hobbies to keep in Yuma, the location right on the Colorado River means ample opportunity for both—the Redondo Reservoir just 12 miles north for is kept stocked with bass, catfish and bluegill, so bring your tackle box with you just in case.

Reference Sources: TheCultureTrip, Kiddle Encyclopedia

Yuma ASL & CART Language Interpreters

American Language Services is known for our high-quality, In-person and Virtual interpreters, as well as the outstanding client services we provide. We work in 200+ languages including Legal and Medical Certified and Qualified.  ASL and CART are the fastest growing languages in Yuma today a language interpreter can be a very underestimated professional in the world today. There are over 100 languages spoken in the Yuma Metro area alone. Many of us know one language, and we specialize in one field of study. Our Yuma Interpreters are fluent in English and at least one other language, and they are knowledgeable in a wide range of specialized fields including legal, medical, technical, manufacturing, and engineering.

A brief history of ASL Interpreting in Yuma

Most people know that ASL stands for American Sign Language. But not everyone knows that it is a distinct language—not simply an offshoot of American English. Though its beginnings are murky, many believe that ASL originated from a merger of French Sign Language (SLF) and local U.S. sign languages. While ASL and SLF are distinct languages, there are still some similarities between their signs.

What actually is ASL?   ASL a complete, natural language that has the same linguistic properties as spoken languages with grammar however that differs from English. ASL is expressed by movements of the hands and face.  ASL is a language completely separate and distinct from English. It contains all the fundamental features of language, with its own rules for pronunciation, word formation, and word order.  Because of the physical nature of ASL, a two-person team of ASL interpreters is required for assignments longer than 1 hour in duration.

The National Center for Health Statistics claims that 28 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss, though only between two and eight percent of them are natural ASL speakers.  Helping these select individuals translate the audible into the understandable is the job of an ASL interpreter.  If you have ever been to a play, a concert or watched a government briefing, you have probably seen an ASL interpreter signing just out of view.  An interesting side note is that Statista estimates that there are currently around 60,000 active ASL interpreters in the USA.

The Benefits of ASL Interpreting in Yuma

When it comes to communicating with hard-of-hearing or deaf audiences, there are a few reasons you might want to opt for a Yuma ASL interpreter over CART services. These include:

• A More Personal Connection: A real person has several advantages over a computer screen. First, human interpreters have an easier time conveying emotion. Second, they are better equipped to point out speakers and assist with pronunciation issues. Finally, an interpreter gives a deaf or hard of hearing person a chance to bond with another person.
• Enhanced Speed: Skilled interpreters can hold pace with even the fastest speakers. Lack of delay makes it easier for deaf and hard of hearing individuals to keep up with the conversation.
• Cost Effective:  While costs range by the type of ASL you need (Legal, medical, business, etc.) and when the assignment is scheduled, the cost off ASL, across the board, is less money than CART.

What Is CART?

While the majority of people know what American Sign Language is, the same cannot be said for Communication Access Real-Time Translation. Often referred to as CART, this communication method for the deaf and hard of hearing is best described as subtitling for live discussions. Unlike ASL, which relies on a professional interpreter, CART services are provided by a well-trained stenographer or transcriptionist. They transcribe anything said and then broadcast the resulting text to a phone, computer, or TV screen.

CART is often seen as a cost-effective and efficient way to ensure everybody can follow along. While often used to help deaf students in the classroom, CART captioning benefits anyone that can read.  Much like ASL interpreting, it can be done both onsite with a physical transcriptionist or remotely with an offsite one.

Why You Should Consider CART for the Yuma Market

Communication Access Real-Time Translation is growing in popularity due to the following characteristics:

• It Serves a Wider Array of Deaf People: If you do a little math, you will realize that 65 percent of hard-of-hearing people in the USA do not speak ASL fluently. CART makes it so these people can join in on the conversation as well.
• CART Makes It Scalable: While people in the front rows can easily make out what an interpreter is signing, it gets harder as the distance increases. Since captions can be beamed to multiple screens simultaneously, they do not have to factor speaker distance into the equation.
• The Text Provides a Written Record: Having a transcript of everything your professor said would be a godsend come finals. Having a record of a meeting can also provide clarity to all those involved as well. The physical nature of CART recording makes that possible. This ability is one reason so many college students opt for CART over traditional ASL interpreting. 

About American Language Services

Founded in 1985, American Language Services was there to help pioneer the rise in remote ASL interpreting options. Our dedication to quality and client satisfaction in interpreting allowed us to shift from a one-woman agency into one of the most successful language agencies in the world. Our language experts provide ASL & CART interpreting services to people all around the world. Because of our 24/7 availability, you’ll never have to worry about us not being available, on off times, for an assignment.

AML-Global has some of the most impressive linguistic talents in the world. These highly skilled language professionals are recruited, screened, and tested to ensure high-quality work.

Contact us by email at interpreting@alsglobal.net or via phone at 1-800-951-5020 for a free estimate on our ASL and CART services.