Sign Language USA was founded in 1984 by former Gallaudet professor Dr. Richard F. Rosen in an effort to support the sizeable deaf and hard of hearing population in the Washington, D.C metro region by providing high quality American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters.
Dr. Rosen quickly learned that it was not only the deaf and hard of hearing community that was lacking in accessible language services and so he launched a second company, Foreign Language USA, to provide spoken language interpreters for the region’s thousands of limited English speaking community members.
Today, both companies merged as Sign Language USA known by its acronym “SLUSA” (Slewsah) to avoid confusion that it only provides sign language.
As technology and the availability of high speed internet have dramatically improved through the years, SLUSA developed its on-demand remote interpreting service (VRI/OPI) which utilizes video and audio conferencing technology to rapidly route users to an interpreter in their required language within seconds using any computer, laptop, smart mobile device, or any ordinary telephone.
With the addition of text services such as written/document translation between English and over 150 foreign languages (and vice versa) as well as real-time captioning services, SLUSA has become a full service language interpretation and translation agency.
Meet Our Team
Dr. Richard F. Rosen, CEO
Dr. Rosen is a former Gallaudet professor and attorney who established SLUSA in 1984. Dr. Rosen has headed SLUSA for over 35 years and serves as it’s Chief Executive Officer.
Dr. Rosen is the final word on company direction and decision making.
Tammy Hansborough, Director of Operations/Accounts Payable
For over 15 years Tammy has served as Director of Operations for SLUSA reporting directly to SLUSA CEO. As a CODA interpreter herself with over 30 years experience in the industry coordinating interpreting services and a lifetime member of the deaf community, Tammy is a valuable asset to SLUSA.
Tammy coordinates and schedules all ASL interpreting services for SLUSA by ensuring every interpreter assigned has the background, skills, education, and experience for each individual assignment. Tammy onboards, trains, and oversees all ASL interpreters and performance. Tammy Processes customer concerns, applies improvement action plans, and upholds SLUSA’s Quality Control standards.
Tammy also oversees SLUSA’s Accounts payable department which includes vendor pay and payroll.
Jeff Ingram, Director of Business Development/Remote Interpreting/Accounts Receivable
Jeff is a former ASL interpreter with over 20 years experience coordinating interpreting services for thousands of customers. As a late deafened adult, Jeff has first hand experience utilizing the services he provides.
Jeff has been with SLUSA since 2017 reporting directly to SLUSA CEO and oversees all new contracts/bidding, pricing, contract compliance, new customer acquisition, retention, and returning customers. Development of new business lines, products, and services. Web design, advertisement, social media, technical support.
Jeff oversees SLUSAs on-demand remote interpreting department (VRI and OPI service). Manages all remote interpreting customer accounts and provides customer and technical support including new account training and resources.
As head of Accounts Receivable, Jeff coordinates all SLUSA billing/invoicing to customers, processes payments, and provides billing support services.
Jennifer Bowers, Foreign Language Coordinator
As Foreign Language Coordinator, Jenn is responsible for assigning interpreters to both in person and pre-scheduled virtual appointments across a variety of languages. With over 150 in person languages available, this is no easy task. Luckily Jenn’s 10 years with SLUSA have prepared her for this role. Jenn also works with SLUSA customer’s regarding any concerns and applies SLUSA’s Quality Control standards accordingly. Jenn reports to the Director of Operations.
Christopher Crawford, Assistant to the Director of Business Development/Coordinator of Document Translation Services
Christopher joined SLUSA in 2022 to provide support to SLUSA’s business development and accounts receivable department. Christopher leans on his years of management experience which have prepared him for intaking requests for document translation, coordinating between requestors and translators, updating customers on completion timelines, and coordinating proofreading. As part of business development, Christopher is the first stage in SLUSA interpreter recruiting and screening by overseeing all recruiting ads, screening applicants and acting as a liaison between the applicant and the appropriate department. Christopher also works with customer’s on due invoices and payment plans.
Kaylee Duley, Administrative Assistant – ASL Department
Working in SLUSA’s ASL department, Kaylee reports to the Director of Operations. Kaylee must monitor phone, email, texts, and fax messages to intake customer requests, key requests into SLUSA’s scheduling system and act as a liaison between the Operations Director, ASL interpreters, and ASL customers. Kaylee sends out all ASL request confirmation notices and sends status updates to customers.
Shannon Atkins, Administrative Assistant – Foreign Language Department
Working in SLUSA’s Foreign Language Department, Shannon is responsible form monitoring phone, email, texts, and fax messages to intake customer foreign language interpretation requests, key requests into SLUSA’s scheduling system and act as a liaison between the Foreign Language Coordinator and foreign language customers. Shannon sends out all foreign language request confirmations and sends status updates to customers.
Linda Withers – Compliance Coordinator
SLUSA’s interpreter onboarding process requires a set of minimum requirements for new interpreters including background checks, drug screening, immunization records, and documentation of previous experience. In addition, SLUSA customers have their own requirements for any interpreter or vendor providing services which often includes a more comprehensive list of training, documentation and immunization list. Linda oversees and processes all documentation for every interpreter to ensure their profiles are up to date.
SLUSA’s scheduling system will not allow an interpreter assigned to a job unless their profile meets that customer’s requirements. Linda ensures those requirements are met. Linda also processes all new interpreter name badges and onboarding paperwork which includes HIPAA/Confidentiality agreements, contracts, and Code of Professional Conduct requirements.