Welcome to WAVLI
Many Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard-Of-Hearing people are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) or use an English mode of signing. Sign Language Interpreters are professionally trained people who provide a vital link between Deaf or hard-of-hearing people who use sign language as their primary mode of communication and those who do not know sign language (usually hearing people using a spoken language).
Westcoast Association of Visual Language Interpreters (WAVLI) was established in 1987 and is a non-profit organization of professional interpreters and interpreter educators, promoting quality interpreting services and professional development to its members.
WAVLI supports the aims of the Association of Visual Language Interpreters of Canada (AVLIC) and in doing so, its members adhere to the Code of Ethics of the Association of Visual Language Interpreters of Canada. We provide a support network and professional development opportunities for Sign Language Interpreters in British Columbia and other areas.
In doing so, we also work to support the Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard-of-Hearing communities of British Columbia by taking an active role in a variety of areas including:
- Encouraging excellence in interpreters and interpreting services.
- Creating greater public awareness and understanding of interpreting and the role of interpreters.
- Encouraging high ethical standards and understanding in interpreting services to individuals who are hearing, Deaf or hard-of-hearing.
WAVLI's home on the World Wide Web began in 1997 and was developed by Jennifer Beauchamp, Suzie Giroux, and Todd Legree. It was re-designed in 2007 by David Campbell.