Applications are now open for the 2023 Protactile Language Interpreting Pilot (PLIP) Cohort!

[Applications are now closed.]

The Protactile Language Interpreting National Education Program is charged with preparing interpreters working with DeafBlind individuals in Protactile language. Training is provided by DeafBlind educators. For those interpreters who work regularly in communities with greater concentrations of DeafBlind individuals, PLI is launching a Pilot cohort in 2023. This is a small cohort of 12-18 participants to maintain small mentor-to-student ratios and cohort experiences. Each cohort is a community of practice, sharing their newly-applied learnings, skills, knowledge and resources with each other and their instructors and mentors.

There is no other intensive, immersion opportunity preparing interpreters in learning, practicing, applying, and interpreting in Protactile language. We are grateful to the talented DeafBlind leaders, teachers, trainers, and mentors who are partnering with PLI to make this program a reality! 

Under the direction of DeafBlind leaders and PLI staff, cohort participants will learn more about Protactile language, the Co-Navigator role, and Protactile's linguistic parameters through a 120-hour intensive experience, including an 8-week online learning community, 1-week onsite for Protactile language immersion, and 10+-hours of mentorship and 10+ hours of applied learning (induction) in the participant's home community with DeafBlind individuals.

PLI has already received a high volume of interest in this training and in this first pilot we can only admit a total of 12-18 participants for the 2023 cohort - and only from 9 identified states - so be sure to spread the word and encourage folks to apply! For us to have the most success, we strongly encourage you to reach out to the DeafBlind leaders in these 9 states (CA, IL, LA, MA, MN, NY, NC, TX, WA)and encourage them to utilize their networks to recommend applicants. 

For complete information on the Protactile Language Pilot Cohort eligibility requirements, program structure and details, click the button below.

Applications Are Now Closed