June 3, 2021 - Nic Zapko was born deaf and grew up in the small mining town of Pittston, Pennsylvania. She is one of six kids; she has a deaf brother and four hearing siblings. Nic attended a school for the deaf. Her father was a mailman and loved to tell jokes. He also loved interacting with people; he was the “Norm” (from the TV show Cheers) of the VFW. Nic’s mother was her biggest supporter, cheerleader and still is in Nic’s heart years after her passing. “I think of her words of wisdom often.” Her mother often said, “you are a person first. We are all people first, not deaf, not hearing, just people.” She encouraged Nic to ignore societal labels “and focus on the human side of each of us.” Her mother had a profound impact on Nic’s life.
In the late 1990s, Nic attended St. Paul Tech for Graphic Design and graduated - however, she did not make a career of it. Instead, Nic focused on acting, touring with the Northern Sign Theater here in Minnesota, National Theater of the Deaf (NTD), and performing at other local venues. The acting led her to become an ASL language consultant, mentor, and Deaf Interpreter.
Nic became hungry for information, “How can I learn to become more effective in my job?” She sought out ways to develop her ASL in a formal way. “Specifically, including the how’s and why’s of ASL syntax, facial markers, use of space, etc. While ASL is my first language, I needed to learn how to mentor, explain ASL formally to enhance their second language and interpreting skills.” Nic has taken courses on mentoring, Deaf Culture, ASL Deaf Interpreting, team interpreting, legal and political interpreting, etc. - too many courses over too many years to mention. “I love learning, so I am good with that.”
She works for Sorenson Communications, Inc as a Program Manager, focusing on the Distance Learning Program. “We provide on-line courses for our ASL Virtual interpreters specific to language development, cultural awareness, self-care, and ways to make Video Phone interpretations more effective for all of our consumers, Deaf and hearing.” Nic also works for Keystone Interpreting Solutions and ASL Interpreting Services as an ASL Deaf Interpreter, mentor, and language analyst.
“People inspire me. Their ‘got it’ moment and the light in their eyes when they recognize they are enhancing their craft. It’s also rewarding when both consumers are able to interact, are freely contributing to the appointment, get what they need from the time spent together and have an effective conversation because of our involvement.”
Having grown up in a family that used “total communication” (a combination of signed English, spoken English, and home signs to communicate), Nic is very aware of the importance of inclusion and how it feels to be left without information. “The term ‘total communication’ is a misnomer. I was often in the dark about what was going on. I use this as a driving force in my work, so others are brought out of the darkness.”
“There is more awareness of ASL interpreting and ASL overall, however, the significance of it is still not apparent to many. I recognize it is not always necessary to have a Deaf Interpreter present, but a qualified interpreter is necessary when requested by the consumer. Even today, too often, having an ASL Interpreter is seen as a nice to have, fun to watch, or entertainment. As if hiring and paying for that language and information access is kind when actually it's a basic human right. Convincing others of that necessity can be challenging, particularly when working with individuals with limited or no exposure to being sidelined as a human.” Nic continues to educate and spread awareness through her work, “believing my actions often say more than my words.” Nic shares an example: “When going to the doctor's office, that is a two-way conversation. The doctor needs information from the Deaf consumer as much as we need it from the doctor. It's a two-way street; hopefully, one day, people will recognize there is a need for access for all individuals on both sides of the table, not just for the deaf consumer.”
“I keep in my mind, while this may be my 3rd role for the day, I stay in the moment. I come to the task as if it's my first, considering this is probably the consumer's only doctors appointment for the day, or they may have had to wait months for this legal appointment. I know it can be exhausting work physically, mentally, and emotionally but believe progress is being made.”
Nic shares the following advice: “Remain positive and take each interaction as a chance to connect. Expose people to the benefits of an ASL Interpreter at work and in your daily personal interactions if the topic arises. I like to use language like it's a basic human right; it's something we need to do, not a ‘nice to have thing,’ all consumers' contributions should be valued, and having a qualified ASL Interpreter present allows those interactions to happen for everyone. Remember to be kind to yourself; all too often, it's easy to beat yourself up about perfection; however, we are all a work in progress, and that's okay.”
She also encourages folks to “Communicate with your team interpreter, listen to each other. This will help in developing trust and confidence in the work you do. This is one of my favorite aspects of what I do. I truly enjoy partnering, not talking at them; it's a team effort whether I am a mentor or team interpreter.”
Nic has been married for 20 years; their spiritual wedding took place in 2001 in Provincetown, Massachusetts, with family and friends in attendance. “It was a beautiful day on the beach.” They have two fun and curious teenagers: “I am always learning from them, and this is by far my favorite job!” Nic loves to go camping and build campfires in their backyard. “My idea of the perfect day is a snowstorm, enjoying a toasty warm cup of Folgers and watching the Vikings play.”
“I feel a great responsibility to represent the Deaf and ASL communities whenever I show up regardless of my role, interpreter, mentor, actor, etc. I like to make connections; I feel my work deeply and want to be as effective as possible. Put aside my fatigue and show up fully. This is about the consumers and their moment. I focus on that. I am grateful for those that have forged ahead of me to make room for me at the table. I want to do the same. Each interaction can have a positive impact, so I try to do the right thing moment to moment.”
The #CanDoAnything campaign showcases people who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing at work, giving them an opportunity to share what they do at their jobs and explain how communication access works for them. This campaign shows what our community can do, which is anything!
