May 14, 2024
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Sign language interpreter joins D. 202 board of education meetings

Administration at the Plainfield school district wanted to ensure equal access.

By Denise M. Baran-Unland
Certified Sign Language Interpreter Kris MacDonald signed at the February 14, 2022 Plainfield District 202 Board of Education meeting as part of the district's effort to expand communications resources.

Certified Sign Language Interpreter Kris MacDonald signed at the February 14, 2022 Plainfield District 202 Board of Education meeting as part of the district's effort to expand communications resources. (Photo provided)

A sign language interpreter is now joining the board of education meetings at District 202 in Plainfield.

The district added the sign language interpreter “as an extra communications tool” after a hearing-impaired community member requested one in January, according to a news release from District 202.

So to ensure equal access, District 202 administration will continue using an interpreter, the release said.

“We know there are probably other community members who benefit from and appreciate the service, whether they ever ask for it or not,” Superintendent Lane Abrell said in the release.

The board resumed opening the meetings to the public in July 2021 but continued to livestream the meetings, too. During the livestreaming, District 202 leaders are also using the new closed captioning feature that’s available through YouTube, the release said.

“This is just another way to communicate effectively and efficiently with all of our families and taxpayers, and to let them participate in their local government,” Abrell said in the release.