Deaf Interpreter Conference 5
June 22 - 26, 2026
Workshops
The CDI Mandate: Protecting the Forensic Record in Legal Settings
Power, Privilege, and Oppression
.20 CEUs
(PPO)
In high-stakes legal proceedings, the accuracy of the record is the foundation of justice. This workshop explores the "CDI Mandate," arguing that a Certified Deaf Interpreter is not an accommodation, but a forensic necessity. We will analyze case studies where the absence of a CDI led to linguistic "leakage" and compromised the legal record. Participants will learn how to articulate this mandate to court administrators and legal counsel to ensure that the Deaf individual’s constitutional rights are protected through expert linguistic mediation and the preservation of the forensic record.
Michael McMahon &
Sarah Himmelman Idler
Michael J. McMahon (he/him) is a RID Certified Deaf Interpreter and BEI Court Certified Interpreter based in Bay Area, CA. With over 15 years of experience in numerous settings and specializing in high-stakes legal and platform settings, Michael is a graduate of University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Interpreter Education Program and a member of a multigenerational Deaf family. He is dedicated to the ethical advancement of the Deaf Interpreter profession. He currently is co-authoring an article on Deaf Interpreters in law enforcement contexts. His work sits at the intersection of language access, Deaf rights, and professional accountability.
Sarah Himmleman Idler is a native ASL user and a nationally Certified Deaf interpreter with over 15 years of professional experience specializing in high-stakes legal and medical settings. She holds an MA in Interpreting Studies and Communication Equity and the BEI Court Interpreter Certification. As an adjunct professor, Sarah focuses on advancing professionalism and equity-minded pedagogy. She is a dedicated advocate for linguistic access, currently serving as the Chair of the RID Deaf Caucus and serving on several advisory panels.