Maryland’s interpreter licensing law was supposed to bring clarity. In theory, it would set consistent standards, improve quality, and help protect Deaf people’s access in critical settings like healthcare, education, and legal services.
But here we are—still navigating ongoing issues, still waiting for the next real update, and not expecting to hear much from the state for a while.
That pause can feel like limbo. It can feel like, “So… now what?” And if you’re Deaf, an interpreter, a service provider, or an organization trying to do the right thing, the uncertainty can be exhausting.
But the truth is simple: Policy can pause. People don’t.
Language access doesn’t stop because a board is delayed, guidance is unclear, or timelines shift. Deaf people still have appointments, parent-teacher conferences, job interviews, emergency room visits, court dates, trainings, and everyday life to live—today. Not “once the state figures it out.”
What we’ve learned: ASL laws aren’t always the priority
One unexpected lesson through this process has been learning more about how Maryland government actually functions when it comes to Deaf issues. There are good people involved, and there are real intentions. But we also learned something that isn’t always said out loud: ASL laws and interpreter infrastructure are not always treated as an urgent priority.
That doesn’t mean they don’t matter. It means they compete with everything else the state is managing, and they often land lower on the list than the Deaf community would ever place them. Meanwhile, the cost of delays gets paid in real time by Deaf people—through missed information, reduced access, postponed services, and the emotional labor of constantly advocating for basic communication.
When the state slows down, it doesn’t create a pause in need. It creates a gap. And then the community does what it always does: it fills the gap
When the government can’t move fast enough, the Deaf community and the organizations that serve it step in—again. Not because it’s “nice,” but because it’s necessary.
This is where the real movement lives:
- Deaf advocates are raising concerns, correcting misinformation, and pushing for transparency.
- Interpreters are pursuing training, refining ethical practice, and trying to navigate shifting requirements without clear direction.
- Nonprofits are hosting information sessions, educating businesses, and helping people understand what’s happening and what to do next.
- Businesses and institutions—the ones who care about doing this right—are building internal systems so access doesn’t depend on last-minute scrambling.
This is what happens when policy lags: the community becomes the infrastructure.
And while that speaks to the strength and resilience of the Deaf community, it also highlights a hard truth: we should not have to rely on patchwork solutions to meet a basic right.
Businesses and nonprofits are doing what government can’t
If you’re a business leader, HR professional, healthcare administrator, school administrator, event planner, or nonprofit leader, you’ve probably felt this firsthand. You may have asked:
- “Are we compliant?”
- “What does the law actually require right now?”
- “How do we make sure we’re providing access ethically?”
- “What happens if we can’t find an interpreter?”
And because clear answers aren’t always coming from the top, many organizations are doing what responsible leaders do: they’re building their own playbooks.
They’re learning how to request interpreters earlier.
They’re budgeting for language access instead of treating it like a surprise expense.
They’re exploring remote options when appropriate.
They’re creating protocols that protect confidentiality and respect Deaf autonomy.
That’s not small work. That’s leadership.
Choice matters—especially when options are limited
At the center of all of this is a principle that can’t be compromised: Deaf autonomy.
Access is not just about “having something available.” It’s about having meaningful choices—qualified interpreters, appropriate settings, and solutions that match the moment. When options shrink, Deaf people are too often forced into whatever is easiest for the system.
We have to keep pushing for a better standard: choice, dignity, quality, and consistency.
The movement continues—even when the state goes quiet
Maryland’s interpreter law is still unfolding. There are still unanswered questions. There are still issues to resolve. And yes—there may be a stretch where we don’t hear much from the state.
But language access is not waiting for permission to exist.
The Deaf community will keep advocating.
Nonprofits will keep educating.
Businesses will keep improving.
And the people doing this work will keep showing up—because communication access is not optional.
If you need help navigating what’s happening, what it means for your organization, or how to plan for language access while the state works through delays, reach out to Dave. He’s in the work every day, and he can help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
By Dave Coyne
If you want to connect to discuss this topic further, please reach out to me at dcoyne@gatewaymaryland.org to schedule a time to meet.
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Gateway connects people to their worlds and aids individuals in their ability to understand and to be understood. Gateway has grown into an organization that serves more than 8,000 children and adults every year, helping them communicate more effectively. With programming both on our Baltimore campus and through community-based programming, we provide education, access, and medical support to anyone who needs it.
We envision a society where everyone can understand and be understood and where everyone is treated with integrity, compassion, and equity.
