The following are some key policies. We will send you our complete list of policies if you are interested in becoming a customer. All policies are subject to change without notice. Please call 610-604-0452 Voice/TTY or email ird@dhcc.org for the most up to date information. We look forward to discussing your interpreting needs and serving you!

Cancellation Policy
Once an assignment is confirmed, DHCC must pay our contracted interpreters unless they receive proper notice. Notice varies depending on the length of the assignment.

For assignments lasting from one appointment to two full days, requests for cancellation of services must be made with two (2) full business days notice in between the date of service and the date of cancellation or payment of contracted hours will be required.

For example: An assignment scheduled for Friday would need to be cancelled by Tuesday in order for it to be non-billable. The 2 full business days would be Wednesday and Thursday. Weekends and DHCC office closures do not count as business days. For complete cancellation policies, contact the interpreter referral department at 610-604-0452 Voice/TTY.

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Team Interpreting

• Hearing/hearing Team:
  It is DHCC’s policy to assign two (2) interpreters to work as a team for the duration of complex assignments or those exceeding two hours.
• Deaf/hearing Team:
  DHCC uses a Deaf/hearing team, one Deaf interpreter and one hearing interpreter, in legal and mental health assignments. These are major life-altering situations and there is a critical need for communication and cultural accuracy. Our Deaf interpreters have the most linguistic skill in ASL and the best cultural connection to the Deaf consumer. In addition, some Deaf consumers require a Deaf/hearing team in a regular assignment due to limited language skills. Please view more information on the benefits of the Deaf/Hearing Team.

The need for a hearing/hearing team or a Deaf/hearing team will be confirmed at the time a request is made.

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Availability
DHCC does its best to find interpreters for all assignments; however, we can only provide service based on the availability of appropriate subcontracted interpreters. Proper lead-time of 5 business days is recommended for regular assignments and 2 weeks for legal assignments is recommended.

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Travel Expenses
DHCC’s mileage reimbursement policy is that we match the rate that the IRS allows at the time the interpreting assignment takes place. The DHCC rate will change when the IRS rate changes, and may change without notice. Travel is charged for each mile the interpreter travels to and from an assignment. Parking, tolls, train fare, cab fare or bus fare will also be charged as incurred by each interpreter. Depending on distance, DHCC may negotiate an additional rate of $25/hour for travel time. This additional rate is subject to change without notice. Please call 610-604-0450 Voice/TTY or email info@dhcc.org for the most up to date information.

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Extra Time
Customers are encouraged to estimate the correct length of time of the assignment including any extraordinary time needed prior to the actual start time. (See the following examples.)

If your business requires a security check prior to entering the building, add this time to your request time. For example: You have a meeting from 9:00 – 11:00, but the interpreter has to clear security in another building prior to the meeting and this will take 30 minutes. You should book the assignment for 8:30 – 11:00.

DHCC realizes that sometimes assignments go over the contracted time period. If the interpreters are available to stay after the end time of an assignment, extra time will be charged in half-hour increments. Interpreters book their own time and may not be able to stay longer due to other commitments. If your meeting frequently runs over the scheduled time, consider extending the end time of your request.

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Terms of Payment
Payment is required within 30 days of the invoice. DHCC gladly accepts Visa and MasterCard. Payments made after thirty days may be subject to an interest charge with notice.

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