About

NCIHC is a multidisciplinary organization whose mission is to promote culturally competent professional health care interpreting and to support equal access to health services for individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) and those who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. We pursue this mission with a commitment to social justice and a respect for all peoples and cultures.

NCIHC started as an informal working group in 1994 and met yearly until it was formally established in 1998. NCIHC promotes dialogue and collaboration among interpreters of spoken and sign language, interpreter service coordinators and trainers, educators, clinicians, policymakers, advocates, and researchers in the field. Membership is open to anyone who is an advocate for language access in health care.

Our goals include:
- Establishing a framework that promotes culturally competent health care interpreting, including standards for the provision of interpreter services in health care settings and a code of ethics for interpreters in health care.
- Developing and monitoring policies, research, and model practices related to health care interpreting.
- Acting as a clearinghouse to collect and disseminate information on programs and policies that improve access to health care for limited English proficient (LEP) and deaf or hard of hearing patients.
- Promoting a national dialogue of diverse voices and interests pertaining to language access in health care.