This training examines how language access, Deafness, mental health, and forensic interpretation intersect during competency evaluations and court proceedings. Participants will explore how communication barriers and interpreter dynamics may affect the accuracy, fairness, and reliability of forensic mental health assessments.

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

-Recognize how Deafness, language deprivation, mental health diagnoses, and communication dysfluency can impact competency evaluations and legal proceedings.
-Identify common interpreting and communication challenges that arise during forensic mental health interviews and competency evaluations involving Deaf individuals.
-Describe best practices for working with qualified interpreters in court and forensic mental health settings to support accurate communication and reduce the risk of misdiagnosis or misunderstanding.

Presenter Bios:

Rebecca DeSantis
Rebecca DeSantis is a nationally certified interpreter and Qualified Mental Health Interpreter (QMHI) with specialized experience in mental health, forensic, and legal interpreting. Over the course of her career, Rebecca has interpreted in a wide range of high-stakes settings including competency evaluations, psychiatric interviews, court proceedings, crisis response, and interdisciplinary treatment environments.

In addition to serving as Associate Director of RGC Access, Rebecca is one of the organization’s lead interpreters and oversees the Bridge to Work program, which supports emerging interpreters through supervised placements, mentorship, and professional development opportunities. She regularly provides trainings on Deafness, mental health, language dysfluency, and interpreting in forensic and clinical settings.

Megan Goldberg
Megan earned her bachelor’s degree in Linguistics with a concentration in Sign Language Studies from the University of New Mexico and has been working within the New Mexico interpreting and Deaf communities since 2006. She is a nationally certified interpreter with extensive experience across community and legal interpreting settings.

Megan now serves as Executive Director of RGC Access, where she oversees organizational operations, interpreter coordination, and communication access services throughout New Mexico. She provides consultation and training related to language access, interpreting services, and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for organizations serving Deaf, hard of hearing, and DeafBlind individuals.

In addition to her leadership role, Megan continues to actively interpret in a wide range of settings, with specialization in legal and court interpreting.

Zoom Registration Link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/cOOJn46_RWyu1BjCatdjfA

If you need an ADA accommodation to attend this presentation, please email ADA@nmcourts.xyz