CRID was founded in 1971, and is one of more than 60 local chapters of the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.

Provide professional development, guidance, and support to interpreters who can thereby render accurate, appropriate, and equal communication access to Deaf and Hard of Hearing persons in the state of Connecticut.

 
Philosophy
 

The Connecticut Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (CRID) is a community based professional membership organization with a goal of promoting equal communication access.

CRID is composed of certified and non-certified sign language interpreters, Deaf and Hard of Hearing citizens and vested individuals and groups working together to promote the appropriate utilization of sign language interpreters in the community.

Through advocacy and networking from grassroots to legislative levels and by providing opportunities for professional development. CRID promotes excellence in interpreting standards in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

CRID is an Affiliate Chapter of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), the national professional organization of sign language interpreters.

CRID is a voluntary membership organization recognized as a non-profit 501 C (3) entity.

CONNECTICUT RID

BOARD OF OFFICERS

2022 - 2024
President - Keith Vinci

Keith is the son of Deaf parents. He has served the Deaf community and the State of Connecticut for well over 40 years. He previously worked for the State of Connecticut’s Commission on the Deaf and Hearing Impaired (CDHI), serving as the Job Development and Placement Specialist, then later as the Interpreter Co-coordinator. His work enhanced employment opportunities for Deaf citizens, increased training opportunities for interpreters and promoted the use of interpreting services in both the public and private sectors; pre and post ADA. Throughout his career he has received numerous awards and citations including the State of Connecticut / American School for the Deaf “Person of the Year” award for outstanding service to the Deaf community. His work was instrumental in the establishment of an independent housing facility for Deaf seniors and currently serves as a committee member for the Connecticut Retirement Community (CRC). He is a past president for the Connecticut Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (CRID) and has held many Board positions for that chapter over his lengthy career. He is a Mayor’s appointee for the City of Middletown, Connecticut, Committee Concerning People with Disabilities. He has served on many other local, state, and national committees. He has worked as an adjunct instructor at Wesleyan University and in the Connecticut Community College system and taught interpreting, American Sign Language, and Deaf studies. He is a featured performer for The CRIDDERS performing troupe and has presented workshops on Artistic Interpreting and performed nationally and internationally. Although retired, he continues to work on a multitude of projects that support the public

Vice President - Julie Colbert

Julie Colbert (RID CI / CT) has a Bachelors of Science in Rehabilitation Services from UCONN. Julie began working with the Deaf as an RA at ASD in 1989. She left to become an interpreter in 1997 and became certified in 1999. Although she works primarily as an educational interpreter, she has done lots of community and medical interpreting over the years as well. Julie is looking forward to being involved with CRID and helping her fellow interpreters in a variety of ways. She has been married for 25 years, has 2 awesome adult children and a very cute dog.

Corresponding Secretary - Nick Dionne

Nick manages the CRID Membership Roster, email communications and CRID Facebook account. He is a nationally certified ASL-English Interpreter (NIC) who is also screened on the Educational Interpreters Performance Assessment (EIPA)(4.1). He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics, concentrated in ASL-English Interpreting from The University of Southern Maine in Portland, and an Associate’s degree in ASL-English Interpreter Preparation from Northwestern Connecticut Community College. He has served on several boards and committees within the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (locally and nationally) for several years. Nick enjoys sharing his learning, knowledge and expertise with new Interpreter Practitioners as a means to giveback for those who have taught him. He lives in Connecticut, where he enjoys traveling and the company of friends, family & colleagues.

Treasurer - Paul Atkinson

Paul Atkinson (CSC / NIC) has been interpreting professionally for 51 years. He received his initial training at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf at the Rochester Institute of Technology where he earned an Associate of Science and a Bachelor of Science in Physics. He also holds an Associate of Science in ASL/English Interpreting from Northwestern Connecticut Community College (NCCC). After completing a Masters in Deaf Education at California State University at Northridge, he worked as an instructional specialist for the Deaf at Alberta College in Edmonton and at NCCC for thirty-six years. In 2019, he retired from his full-time position but continues to provide freelance interpreting services mostly in medical settings in Western Massachusetts and Connecticut. He currently chairs the Advisory Board for the Collegiate Education for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Persons Program, the Deaf Studies Certificate Program, and the Interpreter Training Program at NCCC and represents CRID on that board. He and Katie have been married for over thirty-four years and have two grown sons. He enjoys running in long-distance road races, gardening, listening to music and video production. As treasurer, Paul aims to provide the same level of management, organization, and attention to detail that he inherited from his predecessor, Marissa Rivera.

Recording Secretary - Jana Ferraro

Jana Ferraro works as an ASL Interpreter, both in Educational and Community settings. Her introduction to ASL and the Deaf Community started with a peer in elementary school and has flourished ever since. She received her Bachelor's Degree in ASL and Deaf Studies from McDaniel College in 2017 and continued on to William Woods University where she earned her second Bachelor's Degree in ASL-English Interpreting. She continues to work with various Interpreting communities online to expand her knowledge and is working towards becoming nationally certified. She is always looking for more connections in the Deaf and Interpreting Communities, and looks forward to her role on the CRID Board!

Deaf Member at Large - Marsha L. Wetzel

Marsha is a Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) since 2011 and works in community, legal, medial & Deaf-Blind settings within Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts. She is a Connecticut native and an alumni of the American School for the Deaf and the Mystic Oral School, Gallaudet University, Springfield College, and McDaniel College. She holds a Masters Degree in Athletic Administration & Deaf Education. Her accomplishments include NCAA Divisions I, II & III and 30-Year Women’s Basketball Referee, Cycling Across the Country from Oregon to Virginia & Vancouver to San Diego & Two-Time Deaflympic Gold Medalist in Basketball. She is the daughter of Deaf parents; Donald & Jean Wetzel, and the sister of Joy Wetzel. Her interests are sports, photography, traveling, henna art, and her Jeep Wrangler. Her goal on the CRID Board is to reignite the spirit of CRID for professional development, networking and social connection with the Connecticut Deaf community.

CMP Sponsors

Leslie Warren

cridcmp@gmail.com

Elizabeth LaFlamme-Baker

cridcmp@gmail.com