IRIS Project

09/10/2025

ASL Version: https://youtu.be/CTjuRcdO1U4

It is with deep regret that we share that the U.S. Department of Education has cut federal funding for the final year of the IRIS Project. As a result, all IRIS programming will end on September 30, 2025.

UNC-IRIS's ability to positively impact the American Sign Language interpreters who live and work in rural settings was dependent on the substantial contribution and dedication of many organizations and individuals. IRIS programs and experiences were cultivated in large part by its instructional team and leadership, without whom this grant would not be possible.

We are especially grateful for the University of Northern Colorado’s institutional support and the leadership of Drs. Leilani Johnson and Barbara Garrett. IRIS’s success is directly attributable to the dedication and tenacity of its participants, who are the future of this field.

All approved IRIS materials for dissemination will become available on our website and YouTube channel (links in the comments below).

Video visual description: Kelly Decker, a white woman in her 40s with brown chin length hair, is wearing a green top and a black blazer with 3/4 sleeves and situated in front of a blue background.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

06/11/2025

The IRIS Project warmly welcomes our Cohort 3 Induction participants and Instructional Team at the University of Northern Colorado this summer. Looking forward to continuing our learning journey together!

UNC will have visitors from across the nation coming together for a professional development conference focused on their work as sign language interpreters.

11/16/2024

🤩 RSA interpreter training grantees at the Conference of Interpreter Trainers 🤩

11/12/2024

The IRIS team is looking forward to presenting with our fabulous RSA sibling grantees at the Conference of Interpreter Trainers!

Thursday, Nov. 14th, 12:45-4 pm PT

https://youtu.be/eUuu5xwAqBU

Kelly Decker Roschawn Hardesty IRIS Project Center for Atypical Language Interpreting - CALI Protactile Language Interpreting National Education Program - PLI CATIE Center at St. Catherine University PEHI - Promoting Equity in Healthcare Interpreting Schawn Hardesty

06/10/2024

Check out the news from the University of Northern Colorado, UNC! The IRIS Project will be hosting its Summer 2024 onsite event with 75 *amazing* rural interpreters! We can't wait!!

Improving Rural Interpreter Skills (IRIS) Project

01/17/2024

Fellow RSA grantee Center for Atypical Language Interpreting - CALI is now accepting applications for its next cohort!

Center for Atypical Language Interpreting ‌ Program of Study Opportunities No cost to participate. Earn up to 11 RID PPO CEUs. This program is for interpreters who wish to improve their skills in work

12/01/2023

***Applications are due today by 11:59pm MT***

Are you a working Deaf, Coda, or hearing interpreter who lives and works in rural areas? Are you looking for a supportive, engaging community of learning and 9 months of free, individualized mentoring? Apply to be a part of our 2024-2025 Improving Rural Interpreter Skills: Connections, Opportunities, Resources, and Education Initiative (IRIS: CORE Initiative).

What is CORE Initiative?
IRIS: CORE Initiative provides ~300 hours (9 months) of free, hybrid (onsite and online) interpreting knowledge and skills training and mentoring designed for rural interpreters. This dialogic, bilingual (ASL & written English) curriculum begins with an onsite orientation from June 23-29, 2024 at the University of Northern Colorado, followed by a 9-month facilitated training via an online community of learning from August 2024-May 2025. After successful completion of CORE training, participants have an opportunity to engage in a 6-month induction experience.
Training, mentoring, and RID CEUs are offered at no cost. During the 2024 onsite orientation, IRIS will provide six nights' lodging and several meals (breakfast and lunch on training days) free of charge. Participants will be responsible for arranging and paying for their own travel to and from the onsite orientation. To help defray travel costs, participants who complete the onsite orientation will receive a $550 allotment 6-8 weeks after the onsite training. See our website for possible sponsorship options!

11/27/2023

Applications are still open for CORE Initiative, IRIS Project's free 9-month online/in-person training and mentorship for rural Deaf, Coda, and hearing interpreters (June 2024-May 2025). Our priority application deadline is this Friday, December 1!

Learn more and apply here: https://www.unco.edu/irisproject/recruitment/interpreter.aspx

What is CORE Initiative?
IRIS: CORE Initiative provides ~300 hours of hybrid (onsite and online) interpreting knowledge and skills training designed for rural interpreters. This dialogic, bilingual (ASL & written English) curriculum begins with a weeklong onsite orientation from June 23-29, 2024 at the University of Northern Colorado, followed by a 9-month facilitated training via an online community of learning from August 2024-May 2025. After successful completion of CORE training, participants have an opportunity to engage in a 6-month induction experience.

Training, mentoring, and RID CEUs are offered at no cost. During the 2024 onsite orientation at University of Northern Colorado: Department of ASL & Interpreting Studies, IRIS will provide 6 nights' housing and several meals (breakfast and lunch on training days) free of charge. Participants are responsible for arranging and paying for their own travel to and from UNC. To help defray travel costs, participants who complete the onsite orientation will receive a $550 allotment 6-8 weeks after the onsite training.

The contents of this communication were developed under a grant ( ) from the Department of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1221e-3 and 3474).

Information on the IRIS Project recruitment of learners to improve their skills as interpreters in rural areas.

11/16/2023

Are you a Deaf, Coda, or hearing rural interpreter looking for free individualized mentoring and a 9-month facilitated, hybrid (onsite and online) knowledge and skills training in a supportive community of learning? Consider applying for IRIS:CORE!

Check out IRIS Project's Q&A for more information!

11/15/2023

Have questions about IRIS Project's CORE rural interpreter training? Join our Zoom Q&A session today! **Pre-registration is required (registration link in the comments)**

November 15, 2023, 7:30-9p.m. Eastern / 4:30-6p.m. Pacific

This meeting will be in ASL with no English interpretation. The session will be recorded and shared on IRIS's website and Facebook.

11/13/2023

https://youtu.be/GmZN4weGERI

Curious about IRIS Project's approach to individual and group mentorship? Check out our mentors describing their approach to 'participant-led mentoring' in this 6-minute clip!

Donna Walker, Meta Facilitator (Washington State)
Alicia McClurkan, Mentor (Maine)
Jeremy Quiroga, Mentor (Washington State)
Michelle Rheault, Mentor (Vermont)
LaShawnda Lowe, Mentor (Alabama)
Lianne Moccia, Mentor (New Hampshire)

Learn more about the IRIS team on our website:
https://www.unco.edu/irisproject/staff/instructional-team.aspx