RID is a national membership organization representing the professionals who facilitate communication between people who are deaf or hard of hearing and people who hear. RID has played a leading role in establishing a national standard of quality for interpreters and transliterators. We encourage the growth of the profession, educate the public about the vital role of interpreters and transliterators and work to ensure equal opportunity and access for all individuals. The mission and values of RID are encompassed in our strategic plan, reflected in the statements below and incorporated into the actions and activities of all RID initiatives: Mission - What We Do: The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. promotes excellence in the delivery of interpreting services among diverse users of signed and spoken languages through professional development, networking, advocacy, and standards. Vision - Our Desired Future: By honoring its past and building a dynamic future, RID envisions a world where: - Linguistic rights are recognized as human rights; - The Deaf Community and the Deaf-Heart are vital and visible in every aspect of RID, the interpreting profession as a whole and among individual interpreters; - Interpreted interactions between and among individuals who use signed and spoken languages are as rich as direct communication; - The interpreting profession is formally recognized and is advanced by robust professional development, standards of conduct, and credentials.