2026 Conference
The Ethics Bridge: Medical & Legal Interpreting Standards OSTI's 13th Annual Conference |
The conference will be held on October 3rd, 2026. It will include a virtual morning session and an in-person all-day session in Salem, Oregon on 10/3. Attendees are welcome to register for a half-day session (morning/virtual, morning/in person, or afternoon in person), or for the full day. Discounts will be offered to OSTI members. If you would like to become an OSTI member, scroll to the bottom of this page or click here. Note: This is a live conference in real time, and the presentations will not be recorded for future viewing unless otherwise noted. The views expressed by the conference presenters do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of OSTI. FAQs are listed at the bottom of this page, or click here. Yes, #OSTI2026 is offering CEUs! CEUs have been approved from:
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OSTI's 13th Annual Conference Presenters
Judy Jenner The code of ethics as a shield: Should your first instinct be “no”? (Virtual)
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Abstract
In this (perhaps) controversial session, the presenter will play devil’s advocate and ask if we are doing a disservice to the profession by having our first reaction be “no” to any (reasonable?) request that could possibly be an ethics issue. The interpreter, a federally certified Spanish court interpreter, is a proponent of thoroughly analyzing the issue and always running it by the involved attorneys to determine if there really is an ethics issue instead of saying “no” right away. While this presentation may sound controversial, its final goal is to invite fellow interpreters to play a more active role in the judiciary and not letting the code of ethics handicap you. For instance: judges have repeatedly said publicly that they want to meet interpreters in their chambers to learn more about interpreting. However, the vast majority of interpreters don’t want to take judges up on this offer, citing an ethics issue, even if the judge is inviting them. Who’s right? Let’s discuss and challenge some assumptions. This session will be highly interactive and will be governed by simple participation rule: agree to disagree and learn and grow. The presenter is not an attorney, but is married to one.
Goals:
- Strive to overcome the (understandable) knee-jerk reaction to saying “no” to requests without thoroughly analyzing the issue
- Understand what a conflict of interest really is if and when you are not a party to the proceedings
- Learn to follow best suggested practices when dealing with potential ethics issues
- Process how to become a better advocate for the profession by having better interaction with other players from the judiciary
Dulce Bustamante The Interpreter as a Sleeping Beauty: Topics and Strategies (Virtual)
| Bio Dulce Bustamante is a passionate advocate for healthy sleep and she now brings this passion to the work of the interpreter, blending her interpreting and clinical skills. She is a Federally Certified English-Spanish court interpreter, and is certified in WA State for both court and medical interpreting. She interprets in court and conferences, carries out translations, and consults on ethical issues. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Specialist in Psychometry and interprets and translates for neuropsychological evaluations. She and her husband run a neuropsychology clinic, and they have often co-presented in clinical issues. Her interests include issues of bilingualism and sleep hygiene. She is co-author of a chapter on cognitive-behavioral therapy for sleep disorders in a medical textbook entitled Medicina del Sueño, published in Venezuela, her country of origin. By blending her professions, she aims to help interpreters achieve healthy sleep, considering its effects upon neuropsychological functioning in everyday life. Dulce is a member of NAJIT and NOTIS. In her free time she enjoys practicing Shotokan karate, taking pictures of random beauty, and of course, sleeping. |
Abstract
Modern life has brought forth a number of disruptions to our quality and quantity of sleep, which we tend to take for granted. In recent years, researchers and clinicians have focused on the effects of poor sleep on our daily functioning. High-level cognitive functioning is essential in bilingualism, and even more so for interpreters and translators; yet, we remain unaware of the crucial role that sleep plays in enabling us to perform optimally in our professional and personal lives. The goal of this presentation is to raise awareness among attendees about the stages of sleep, key aspects of healthy sleep, sleep’s impact on cognitive functioning, and practical strategies for optimal sleep health; by the end, we will achieve a greater understanding of the health benefits of quality sleep and how it supports cognitive and emotional domains critical for us language professionals. |
Chantal Portillo and Rich de la Hall CO-INTERPRETING: Improving Linguistic Access Through Effective Teaming Strategies (Virtual) |
Bio Dr. Chantal Portillo was born in the USA and raised in Spain, which provided her with a bi- cultural and bilingual family background from a young age. At the age of 12, a documentary on the interpreters of the II World War during the Nuremberg trials sparked an interest in the translation and interpretation field, which then led to a BA in Translation and Interpretation, and later to a master’s and PhD in fields related to intangible heritage, sustainable tourism, and intercultural interpretation in translation. During the first 10 years of her professional career, Chantal was a conference interpreter in Spain, Also, during that time, she was certified by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a judicial translator and interpreter. After moving to the US and working as a certified medical interpreter for a year, Chantal got certified as a judicial interpreter with the Oregon Judicial Department (OJD) and started working in 2015 as an independent contractor for local agencies and the courts. In 2020, and after 23 years of being an independent contractor, Chantal was hired by Court Language Access Services (CLAS), within the OJD as a staff interpreter, her current placement. In 2020 Chantal also obtained the ATA certification as an English to Spanish translator, and became certified as a judiciary interpreter in both California and New Mexico. Since 2021, Chantal has presented in state conferences in Oregon for OJD and the Oregon Society for Translators and Interpreters (OSTI), and at the national level for NAJIT in 2024 and ATA in 2025. Chantal loves to give back to the community and is involved in two NAJIT committees, the Advocacy Committee and the Position Paper Committee. She is also a volunteer localization translation reviewer for the Secretary of Oregon’s translations review committee of materials used for Oregon elections. In her free time, Chantal loves hiking, doing Pilates and yoga, roller skating, furniture refurbishing and crafting with recycled materials and nature’s bounty. Chantal brings a unique academic perspective and a wealth of professional experience to our team. | [de la Hall profile photo pending] Bio [de la Hall bio pending] |
Abstract
This two (2) hour language neutral presentation explores the intricacies of team interpreting, introducing the concept of professional work groups, identifying strategies that enhance integration and the overall effectiveness of the team regardless of its configuration. Presenters - Mr. Hall (ASL Interpreter) and Dr. Portillo (Certified Spanish Court Interpreter), with more than 45 years of professional interpreting experience combined - lay out the parameters around conversations that teams of interpreters need to have to promote efficiency and effectiveness for successful outcomes. Presenters will provide a brief theoretical overview of the four pillars, explaining foundational concepts like philosophy and schema. Principals that serve as a blueprint for laying a strong foundation, one that supports an effective team interpreting process, highlighting the importance of both trust and commitment. Using thought structured and guided conversations, attendees will learn how to discuss expectations and negotiate strategies to implement during the assignment. Strategies that rely on a collaborative approach focused, first and foremost, on linguistic access by promoting accuracy and completeness of interpretations as well managing situational challenges that arise. To end, the presenters will use techniques and guidelines shared during the session to demonstrate how a mixed team comprised of an ASL and spoken language interpreter (Spanish) might work collaboratively together. Spotlighting key aspects unique to this specific team configuration like logistics around relay arrangements, the role of the team lead, positioning needs both for the sign language and the spoken language interpreter pairs and negotiating breaks that are suitable to all interpreters. |
Amanda Wheeler-Kay and Sandra Valdez Ethics in Action: Putting Professionalism and Professional Development into Practice (In person) |
Bio Amanda Wheeler-Kay (she/her), Certified Healthcare Interpreter, teacher, lifelong learner. Amanda is a white woman from Oregon whose second language is Spanish. A former social worker, she has worked as a community/health care interpreter and interpreter educator in Portland since 2007. She is a founding member of Oregon Interpreters in Action, the first union for health care interpreters. She previously served as a volunteer interpreter and board member of the Clackamas Volunteers in Medicine Clinic. In June 2025 Amanda received her master’s degree from Western Oregon University in Interpreting Studies, with a focus on teaching and educational interpreting. She currently serves on the board of Nuevas Sonrisas, a local nonprofit organization supporting health hygiene and dental education for school children in Guatemala; 2026 was her third year as the trip lead. Amanda loves to travel with friends/family and play noncompetitive soccer. Her heart lives in two other communities that were once home: Washington DC, & Buena Vista, Cuscatlán, El Salvador. Amanda does her best to “make good trouble, necessary trouble” following the call to action of the late Civil Rights leader and Georgia Congressman John Lewis. | [Valdez photo pending] Bio [Valdez bio pending] |
Abstract
[Abstract pending] |
Felicity Ratway State of the Profession: A Re-Examination of Mikkelson's "The Professionalization of Community Interpreting" in Today's World (In person)
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Abstract
[Abstract pending] |
Amanda Wheeler-Kay and Rodrigo Gaspar-Barajas Do the Right Thing! Ethical Decision-Making in Interpreting (In person) |
Bio Amanda Wheeler-Kay (she/her), Certified Healthcare Interpreter, teacher, lifelong learner. Amanda is a white woman from Oregon whose second language is Spanish. A former social worker, she has worked as a community/health care interpreter and interpreter educator in Portland since 2007. She is a founding member of Oregon Interpreters in Action, the first union for health care interpreters. She previously served as a volunteer interpreter and board member of the Clackamas Volunteers in Medicine Clinic. In June 2025 Amanda received her master’s degree from Western Oregon University in Interpreting Studies, with a focus on teaching and educational interpreting. She currently serves on the board of Nuevas Sonrisas, a local nonprofit organization supporting health hygiene and dental education for school children in Guatemala; 2026 was her third year as the trip lead. Amanda loves to travel with friends/family and play noncompetitive soccer. Her heart lives in two other communities that were once home: Washington DC, & Buena Vista, Cuscatlán, El Salvador. Amanda does her best to “make good trouble, necessary trouble” following the call to action of the late Civil Rights leader and Georgia Congressman John Lewis. |
Bio Rodrigo Gaspar-Barajas (he/they) is the Interpreter Relations Manager with English 2 Spanish (E2S), which includes planning their annual Central Oregon Interpreter Conference, managing the Interpreter Learning Lab (which offers continuing education opportunities), and shadowing and mentoring Central Oregon Interpreters. With over a decade of experience as an English<>Spanish interpreter, they have navigated the full spectrum of the field—from the fast-paced, high-stakes environment of the Emergency Department to the nuanced complexities of legal and educational settings. A graduate of the University of Portland with a BA in Music, Rodrigo enjoys the performance aspects of interpreting. When not managing relations or interpreting, Rodrigo can be found singing opera, diving into a non-fiction book, or watching a K-Drama! |
Abstract
Interpreters have historically been taught there are specific “dos and don’ts” to ethical reasoning. Yet real world encounters often place interpreters at the intersection of accuracy, harm prevention, power dynamics, and human dignity. Choosing the “right thing to do” in this context is hard!! In this interactive workshop, participants will consider how to preserve fidelity while exercising professional judgment, cultural awareness, and ethical responsibility without violating ethical standards. Participants will contrast a “dos and don’ts” approach with dynamic context-based decision-making, including an introduction to one tool for evaluating ethical decisions. We will use core values from professional codes of ethics and the framework of Cultural Humility to explore four key ideas essential for navigating these complex scenarios:
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Disclaimers: Unless otherwise noted, all sessions will be held LIVE ONLY. No recordings will be available after the conference.
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