“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” — attributed to George Bernard Shaw
ABOUT SAVOR INTERPRETING, LLC
Many people are under the assumption, as you may be, that the mere presence of a sign language interpreter, maybe on your screen or in a space you share, means the deaf, hard-of-hearing, or DeafBlind individuals utilizing this service are guaranteed communication access. However, decades of research on sign language interpreting, and the communication experiences of deaf, hard-of-hearing, and DeafBlind people, has identified an “illusion of inclusion” in far too many instances where sign language interpreters are present(1). An illusion of inclusion occurs when the assumption that the presence of an interpreter guarantees inclusion exists — and a number of critical communication access factors are not considered. Communication access factors include, and are not limited to: the specific language background and needs of the consumer, the nature of the content being interpreted, the interpreter’s suitability for the assignment, the interpreter’s level of cultural and linguistic competence, and the interpreter’s attitude.
As a doctoral research-practitioner trainee in Clinical Psychology, my dissertation research and psychotherapy practice with Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and DeafBlind individuals focused on understanding the impact of language-based exclusion on their lives and well-being. Language-based exclusion refers to ANY circumstance in which language is the basis for real or perceived social rejection, including circumstances where sign language interprets have been provided for access (2). I learned that when the illusion of inclusion occurs the presence of an interpreter can have a number of powerful NEGATIVE impacts on a deaf or hard-of hearing person’s lives and well being.
I founded Savor Interpreting, LLC with one guiding mission: to go beyond the illusion of inclusion when it comes to providing communication access for deaf, hard-of-hearing, and DeafBlind individuals. My ASL-English interpreting, training, mentorship, research, & consulting services draw on my 35 years of practice as an ASL—English interpreter; my 18 years of practice as a multidisciplinary academic researcher; and my 8 years of practice as a psychotherapist. My experience has taught me that genuine access and inclusion is an ongoing process that includes comprehensive macro to micro level personal and contextual assessment and solution generation — in close collaboration with deaf, hard-of-hearing, and DeafBlind individuals and communities. There is no quick fix to communication access, and it is not a one solution fits all undertaking. Very little can be assumed. And there is a lot of room for growth. To learn more about language-based exclusion visit my Workshops & Trainings page.
ABOUT EMMANUEL “MANI” GARCIA
See my full curriculum vitae
Growing up in Alamogordo, New Mexico, I developed a deep love for New Mexico and the Southwest. I started learning American Sign Language, and interpreting in my church, in 1991 at the age of 17 — while briefly living in Dallas, Texas. My training and practice as a professional ASL-English community interpreter began when my family returned to New York two years later — where I worked primarily as a professional freelance interpreter in a wide variety of settings for 31 years. I was thrilled to return to New Mexico in 2024, this time to Santa Fe, where I currently reside.
I hold a Master of Arts, and Master of Philosophy in Psychology, both earned while pursuing a doctoral degree in Health Psychology & Clinical Science. I have worked as an academic and community researcher in neuroscience, deaf studies, social, clinical, health, and forensic psychology for 18 years. I worked as a psychotherapist in the hearing, hard-of-hearing, deaf, and DeafBlind communities for a total of 8 years — specializing in emotion regulation and mindfulness based therapies for trauma, anxiety, depression, and OCD. Additionally, I worked for a year as the NTID Senior Research Assistant at the Rochester Institute of Technology/National Technical Institute for the Deaf (RIT/NTID) Sensory, Perceptual, and Cognitive Ecology (SPaCE) Center, and as as an adjunct instructor in the Department of American Sign Language and Interpreting Education (ASLIE) at RIT/NTID. Finally, I am certified as a holistic yoga teacher, and group fitness instructor.
REFERENCES
(1)
Caselli, N. K., Hall, W. C., & Henner, J. (2020). American Sign Language interpreters in public schools: An illusion of inclusion that perpetuates language deprivation. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 24(11), 1323–1329;
De Meulder, M., Haualand, H., & De Wit, M. (2019). Sign language interpreting services: A quick fix for inclusion? Translation and Interpreting Studies, 14(3), 325–344.
Neil Glickman & S Gulati (2003) “Mental Health Care of Deaf People: A Culturally Affirmative Approach”, Mahwah, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates
(2)
Dotan-Eliaz, O., Sommer, K. L., & Rubin, Y. S. (2009). Multilingual Groups: Effects of Linguistic Ostracism on Felt Rejection and Anger, Coworker Attraction, Perceived Team Potency, and Creative Performance. Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 31(4), 363–375.
Garcia, E., Language Based Exclusion and Deaf Mental Health: Introduction and Conceptual Foundations (2021). A 35-minute presentation in ASL based on my doctoral research in Clinical Psychology and Deaf Mental Health Care prepared for the Deaf Studies Today! Deaf Lives 360º digital conference.
Hitlan, R. T., Kelly, K. M., Schepman, S., Schneider, K. T., & Zárate, M. A. (2006). Language exclusion and the consequences of perceived ostracism in the workplace. Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practice, 10(1), 56.
Kulkarni, M. (2015). Language‐based diversity and faultlines in organizations. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 36(1), 128-146.
Kulkarni, M., & Sommer, K. (2015). Language-Based Exclusion and Prosocial Behaviors in Organizations. Human Resource Management, 54(4), 637–652.
BIOSKETCH
SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER EXPERIENCE
RID Certificate of Interpretation (CI)
NMRLD Community Signed Language Interpreter License
Liability Insured
- RID certified interpreter with over 35 years of interpreting experience in a wide variety of settings. Settings have included: academic, educational, scientific, medical, technical, civic, conference, legal, the performing arts, health & wellness, mental health, mindfulness & meditation, dharma, video relay (VRS), and video remote interpreting (VRI). I have extensive experience working closely with deaf individuals who have additional disabilities and diverse language needs, as well as with DeafBlind children, adolescents, and adults. Well respected for level of skill, professionalism, and ability to work in a variety of settings comfortably. Dependable, flexible, and always eager to advance in knowledge and skill.
- Performing Arts Interpreting Experience: Santa Fe, NM: Bad Medicine; New York, NY: Shakespeare in the Park: Much Ado About Nothing, Central Park; NYC Broadway: 12 Angry Men, Naked Girl on the Appian Way, and Pajama Game; Off-Broadway: Daddy, Inside the Golden Door: Stories of Immigration, Godspell, The Emigrants, 25 Women, Jack Frost, Holiday Revue, The Orphan Singer; Music: Clearwater’s Great Hudson River Revival (A Music & Environmental Festival); and Madonna Re-Invention World Tour (2003-2019); Creative Director/Lead singer/rhythm guitar and piano for Interpreted Rock performances in New York City with former band Legs Akimbo (2003-2006).
DEAF STUDIES RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Rochester Institute of Technology: NTID Senior Research Assistant.
National Technical Institute for the Deaf
Sensory, Perceptual, and Cognitive Ecology (SPaCE) Center
- My primary role was assisting others in the Center (composed of 6 research labs) with cross cultural and “deaf-friendly” analysis, synthesis, data interpretation, design, and/or evaluation of current methods, protocols, or approaches. I also evaluated issues relevant to other research/engineer staff or supervisors as needed; and supervised and/or provided work direction and training to students and staff. I was also acting Associate Director of the Center for several months.
May 2017- June 2019
City University of New York: Graduate Center
Health Psychology and Clinical Sciences, New York, NY
Clinical Psychology Training Program, City University of New York – John Jay College of Criminal Justice
- Language-Based Exclusion and Deaf Mental Health: Introduction and Conceptual Foundations examines communication-related difficulties and their effects on Deaf behavioral health outcomes, utilizing a theoretical framework from linguistic diversity research. Methods include: Theoretical Review, Digital Ecological Momentary Assessment, Ethnography, Focus Group. Presented in fulfillment of my Second Doctoral Qualifying Exam.
- Collaborators: Dr. Kevin Nadal, CUNY John Jay, Dr. Kristen Sommer, CUNY Baruch College.
- Funded by: City University of New York New Media Lab, History and Public Health Award; City University of New York Diversity Projects Development Fund.
PSYCHOTHERAPY IN ASL EXPERIENCE
August 2015 – December 2017
Lexington Center for Mental Health Services: Psychology Extern
Lexington School for the Deaf, Jackson Heights, NY
Supervisors: Adele Agin, LCSW; Sara Zarem, Ph.D.
Psychotherapy externship serving deaf and DeafBlind adolescents and adults as part of my doctoral training in Clinical Psychology as a student in the City University of New York Health Psychology and Clinical Sciences PhD program.
- Introduced Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD to the clinic
- Introduced “deaf friendly” digital emotional self-assessment and mindfulness protocols to clinic.
- Worked an extra year in clinic to gain deeper experience working with deaf and DeafBlind clients.
- Languages I worked in: American Sign Language, English, Spanish
July 2015 – June 2017
Gouverneur Healthcare: Psychology Extern
Behavioral Health, New York, NY
Supervisors: Lorena Escoriaza, Ph.D., George Collins, Ph.D., Diana Chen, Ph.D.
Psychology externship in trauma track for adults as part of my doctoral training in Clinical Psychology as a student in the City University of New York Health Psychology and Clinical Sciences PhD program.
- Co-Founder/member of the Cross-Cultural Trauma Treatment Workgroup (a weekly meeting of clinicians, Psychiatrists, case workers, and clinical/social work externs focused on developing and sharing best practices for trauma care in English, Spanish, and Chinese).
- Introduced Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD and Deaf Mental Health Care to the clinic.
- Worked an extra year in clinic to gain deeper experience with culturally affirmative trauma therapy.
- Languages I worked in: English, American Sign Language
INTERPRETING RELATED TEACHING
Fall 2023
Rochester Institute of Technology, National Technical Institute for the Deaf
Department of American Sign Language and Interpreting Education
Lecturer, Practicum and Seminar
Summer 2023
Rochester Institute of Technology, National Technical Institute for the Deaf
Department of American Sign Language and Interpreting Education
Lecturer, Issues in Interpreting
- First instructor to hold Issues in Interpreting (typically run for 14 weeks) in a 6-week summer session.
PROJECTS, WORKSHOPS, PRESENTATIONS, SERVICE
Currently in the film festival circuit
Producer for Marina
- Marina is a poignant short film that delves into the life of Lucho, deaf 9-year-old boy working alongside his family in their bustling restaurant. Lucho finds solace and connection in his unlikely friendship with Marina, a vivacious dishwasher with a heart of gold. As Lucho navigates the challenges of communication with his hearing family, Marina becomes his beacon of understanding, bridging the gap with her limited knowledge of American Sign Language. Starring Wyatt Ridloff as Lucho.
- Marina has won three festival awards — Audience Choice at Spokane International Film Festival, Audience Choice at the 1904 Deaf Film Festival, and Programmer’s Choice at Covelitte International Film Festival.
August 17-18, 2024
Understanding Language Based Exclusion in the Deaf Community: a Call to Action
- In-person 3-hour workshop based on my doctoral research in Clinical Psychology and Deaf Mental Health Care in collaboration with Heritage Interpreting and the Ohio Chapter of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.
- In-person 1-hour yoga and self-care instruction in ASL as a follow up to workshop.
February 2022
Emotion Regulation: How to Change Emotions You Want to Change
- A twenty seven minute video co-presented in ASL with Sharon Haynes, LMSW as part of the Wisconsin Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Behavior Health Initiative community track providing information on various behavioral and mental health topics for individuals who are Deaf, hard of hearing, and Deaf-Blind.
December 10-12, 2021
Practical Self Care for Sign Language Interpreters
- Five short videos presented in ASL for the PCRID (Potomac chapter) 2021 annual conference. An accompanying guide for each exercise is available at this link.
April 7, 2021
Language-Based Exclusion and Deaf Mental Health: Introduction and Conceptual Foundations
A 35-minute presentation in ASL based on my doctoral research in Clinical Psychology and Deaf Mental Health Care prepared for the Deaf Studies Today! Deaf Lives 360º digital conference
December 2015 – August 2020
American Sign Language (ASL) Exchange
Founder/Director
- A community mental health outreach project designed to engage in clinical research and practice on deaf/deafblind mental health in collaboration with the deaf/DeafBlind communities—an approach considered best practice.
- Supported by the City University of New York New Media Lab.
ASL Exchange Events
- Language-Based Exclusion and Adverse Outcomes in Deaf People. Organizer/host/speaker for one-day professional development seminar for K-12 teachers and administration at Lexington School for the Deaf. The program included research presentations, and deaf-led breakout workgroups focused on developing an in-house intervention for language-based exclusion. Invited by Lexington School for the Deaf. November 7, 2017.
- Language and Deaf Mental Health: Interpreting in Context. Organizer/host/speaker for a one-day symposium gathering deaf and hearing researchers, interpreters, mental health professionals, and deaf/deafblind community members for a program that included research presentations, a panel of deaf community members, and deaf-led breakout workgroups—focused on applying discussion points and determining community action items. In collaboration with Lexington Mental Health Center for the Deaf and Yale Ciencia Academy. September 16, 2017.
- The Cognitive and Social Impacts of Early Language Experiences of Deaf Children. Organizer/co-host with Dr. Amber Martin for collaborative project I created with Center for Anxiety project to provide American Sign Language interpretation of monthly free community mental health lectures; and lectures in American Sign Language. September 28, 2016.
April 2017 – July 2022
#TransatlanticNeuroscience
Founder/Director
Transatlantic Neuroscience was a collaborative effort between neuroscientists in Puerto Rico and the mainland US. We promoted accessible science in English, Spanish, & American Sign Language.
#TransatlanticNeuroscience Events
- Neuroscience Symposium: Innovation, Technology, and Learning. Universidad Interamericana Arecibo, March 17, 2017. Arecibo, Puerto Rico.
#TransatlanticNeuroscience Educational and Training Videos
- Wireless electroencephalography set-up and data collection. Presented in English, Spanish, and ASL.
- Flexible Field Recordings of Central and Peripheral Electrophysiology.
#TransatlanticNeuroscience Presentations
- Garcia, E. Researching the Central and Peripheral Nervous System Inside and Outside the lab. Invited oral presentation at the Simposio de Neurociencias: Innovación tecnológica y aprendizaje. Universidad Interamericana Arecibo, March 17, 2017. Arecibo, Puerto Rico.
- Garcia, E., Flexible Field Recordings of Central and Peripheral Electrophysiology. Oral Presentation, winner of #NEURAL2016 “3-Minute Shark Tank Impact Travel Award.” UAB Neuroscience Roadmap Scholars Program #NEURAL2016 conference, June 24, 2016, Birmingham, AL.
2004 – 2005
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
- Director at Large for the Metro-New York City Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Board of Directors
EDUCATION
February 2017
Master of Philosophy in Psychology
Earned as a doctoral trainee in two PhD programs in New York, NY
2019 – 2022
Clinical Psychology Training Program
City University of New York – John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Second Doctoral Qualifying Exam Title: “Language-Based Exclusion & Deaf Mental Health: Introduction and Conceptual Foundations.”
2012 – 2019
PhD Program in Health Psychology and Clinical Sciences
City University of New York – Hunter College
December 2012
Master of Arts in Psychology
Biopsychology/Clinical PsychologyStony
State University of New York – Stony Brook, NY
Master’s Thesis Title: “Depressive Symptoms are Associated with a Reduced Electrocortical Response to Fearful Faces in Psychotic Disorders.”
May 2010
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Biopsychology/Clinical Psychology
State University of New York – Stony Brook, NY
Honors Thesis Title: “Where is it? Shifting Attention in Spatial Working Memory.”
CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES
Certificate of Interpretation (CI)
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
Granted December 1997
Community Signed Language Interpreter License
New Mexico Regulations & Licensing Department
Signed Language Interpreting Practices Board
Granted July 2026
Registered Community Interpreter
Nevada Interpreter/CART Registry, Nevada ADSD
Granted July 2026
Utah Certified Interpreter (RID Recognition)
Utah Interpreter Program (UIP)
Granted August 2026
200 hour Holistic Yoga Teacher Training Certificate
Pyramid Yogshala, Rishikesh India—Yoga Alliance
Granted August 2019
LIVE SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETING WORK SAMPLES
Work Sample interpreting for New York Governor Kathy Hochul on August 19, 2026.
Topic: Governor Hochul Launches FutureWorks Commission Listening Sessions to Address AI Workforce Impacts
Work Sample interpreting for Center for Dean McKay, PhD, ABPP at the The Center for Anxiety (Brooklyn office) on January 15, 2016.
Topic: “The Limits of Medication for Your Children and You: Excessive Medical Interventions for Mental Disorders.”
This lecture was presented as part of a joint effort between The Center for Anxiety and my graduate school project, The American Sign Language (ASL) Exchange. The mission of the ASL Exchange was to help facilitate a sea change of increased access to physical/mental health education, assessment, and interventions for Deaf and deaf-blind individuals.
