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Empowering Equity through Communication.

Welcome to Sign Language Specialists of Western Pennsylvania (SLSWPA). Our mission is grounded in cultural respect, professional excellence, and a strong commitment to the Deaf community. Wherever communication access is needed, our interpreters are here to ensure clarity, respect, and professionalism.

Who
We Are

Sign Language Specialists of Western PA, Inc. (SLSWPA) is a staff-based interpreting agency committed to excellence in communication access. Our staff of qualified, state-registered interpreters is carefully matched to each assignment to best meet the specific language needs of D/deaf, DeafBlind, Hard-of-Hearing, and hearing consumers.

We provide interpreting services across a wide range of settings, ensuring that our interpreters are well-prepared and supported. Beyond interpreting, we are deeply invested in community engagement, building meaningful connections, and delivering exceptional customer service.

At SLSWPA, we also champion the growth of the interpreting profession by offering structured opportunities for training, mentorship, and continued development. We believe in fostering a supportive environment where interpreters thrive—together.

Meet Our Staff

Joyce Gallagher

ASL/English Interpreter

CEO

CI-CT, AOPC ODHH Registered

Cassidy Donaldson

ASL/English Interpreter

Operations Manager & Scheduling Coordinator

AA, BA, NIC, EIPA, ODHH Registered

Rachel Mackrell

ASL/English Interpreter

Internship & Mentor Coordinator

BA, MA, NIC, AOPC, EIPA, ODHH Registered

Marlee Stake

ASL/English Interpreter

Social Media Coordinator

BA, NIC, EIPA, ODHH Registered

James Howsare

ASL/English Interpreter

AA, BA, NIC, ODHH Registered

Lori Hutchison

ASL/English Interpreter

BA, MA, CSC & ODHH Registered

Victoria Berrier

ASL/English Interpreter

BA, EIPA

Jacquelyn Friday

Deaf Mentor (ASL)

Deaf Culture Liaison, Interpreter Advisor, Community Support

Educational Settings
  • K-12 classrooms
  • Parent-teacher conferences
  • IEP meetings
  • School assemblies
  • Field trips
  • After school activities
  • Employee onboarding
  • College/university courses
  • Doctor’s offices
  • Hospitals and urgent care
  • Physical therapy and rehabilitation
  • Mental health counseling
  • Dental appointments
  • Courtrooms (AOPC-certified only)
  • Attorney-client meetings
  • Depositions
  • Probation/parole meetings
  • Incarceration
  • Festivals
  • Town halls
  • Tours
  • Public forums
  • Job interviews
  • Staff meetings
  • Corporate trainings
  • Church services
  • Bible studies
  • Funerals
  • Weddings
  • Baptisms
  • Live theatre productions
  • Concerts
  • Public performances
  • Remote telehealth sessions
  • Online education platforms
  • Virtual meetings or webinars
  • Job coaching and training
  • Designated interpreter
  • Tactile or close-vision interpreting
  • One-on-one communication access in medical, educational, or community
  • Provide other support services and, where appropriate, assist with basic environmental access or guiding

Our Services

People First. Language Always.

Interpreters at SLSWPA may work in a variety of professional and community settings. The following list includes common environments where interpreting services are provided:

Our Region

Rooted in Community. Driven by Access.

Assignments are often in person, but virtual interpreting opportunities are also available and may be assigned based on client needs and interpreter availability.

  • Allegheny
  • Armstrong
  • Bedford
  • Blair
  • Butler
  • Cambria
  • Centre
  • Clearfield
  • Fulton
  • Jefferson
  • Huntingdon
  • Indiana
  • Somerset
  • Westmoreland

Job Opportunities

Internship Opportunities

We offer unpaid internships (per state guidelines) for students in an Interpreter Training Program (ITP) or practicum.

Interns gain hands-on experience and observation opportunities, supported by experienced mentors — helping connect academic training with practical experience.

Hiring

At Sign Language Specialists of Western PA (SLSWPA), we foster a supportive and collaborative environment for both full-time staff and contracted interpreters.

We are currently hiring for in-person and virtual interpreting positions, including both freelance and full-time staff roles.

Full-time staff benefits include:
● Employer-provided health and vision insurance
● 24 days of paid time off annually
● Annual professional development stipend

Contact Us!
© 2025 Sign Language Specialists of Western PA
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Disclaimer

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by SLSWPA [dot] com; and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will SLSWPA [dot] com be liable for any loss or damage, including without limitation, direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage, personal injury or loss, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from, or in connection with, the use of this website. By accessing SLSWPA [dot] com you agree to accept and assume any and all risks that may arise from viewing this site and the information herein, and agree to hold Sign Language Specialists of Western PA harmless for any injury, damage or loss to any person or business.

Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of SLSWPA [dot] com. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.

Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, SLSWPA [dot] com takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.

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Privacy Statement

Welcome to the website of SLSWPA.com.

We recognize that as you visit this site, you may voluntarily supply personal information to us. We are committed to protecting this information you provide by adhering to a set of principles which include:
1) SLSWPA.com irrevocably recognizes and respects the customer’s expectation of privacy.

2) SLSWPA.com will only collect, retain and use information about individual customers when it reasonably believes such to be useful (and allowed by law) to administering Sign Language Specialists of Western PA’s business and to provide advertising products, services and other opportunities to customers.

3) SLSWPA.com will maintain established procedures to assure that the customer’s financial information is accurate, current, and complete in accordance with reasonable commercial standards. Should errors occur, SLSWPA.com will investigate and respond to requests to correct inaccurate information in a timely manner.

4) Employee access to personally identifiable information will be limited to those employees with a business reason for knowing such information.

5) SLSWPA.com will protect customer information by a) maintaining appropriate internal security standards; b) educating employees to understand the importance of confidentiality and customer privacy; and c) taking appropriate disciplinary measures to enforce employee privacy responsibilities.

6) The Fair Credit Reporting Act permits SLSWPA.com to share information about its customers with its affiliates unless the customer directs it not to do so. If you, as a customer, do not wish SLSWPA.com to share information with its affiliates, you may advise of this by writing to Sign Language Specialists of Western PA, 172 Watson Street, Johnstown, PA 15905. Please include your name and address and indicate the purpose.

7) With the exception of information exchanged under the restrictions of the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, or in the performance of bona fide corporate due diligence, SLSWPA.com will not reveal specific information to unaffiliated third parties for their independent use, unless (a) the information is provided to help complete a customer initiated transaction;(b) the customer requests it; or (c) the disclosure is required by law.

8) If in a business relationship, personally identifiable customer information is provided to a third party, SLSWPA.com will insist that the third party adhere to similar privacy principles that provide for keeping such information confidential.

9) SLSWPA.com principles of privacy are to be hereby communicated to its customers.