Amid a critical shortage of certified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters, Salt Lake Community College is working to meet the growing demand.

A report from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf states that of the more than 10,000 sign-language interpreters that are registered nationally, a mere 13 percent identify as persons of color.

Typically, nurses use sign language, translated materials and family and friends when working with patients whose first language is not English. Using bilingual workers and professional interpreters ...