It’s Confidential! Privacy & Professional Ethics

Confidentiality is one of the most heavily weighted principles of every code of professional ethics for interpreters. It carries tremendous significance as it aligns with US laws specifically designed to protect individual privacy in health care, finance, and education (such as HIPAA, GLBA, and FERPA).  Take an interesting look at the concept of confidentiality from the legal and cultural perspectives and consider the critical role it plays in ethical decision-making.

Learning objectives:

• Describe the importance of confidentiality within professional interpreting standards and why it is considered a core ethical obligation
• Recognize key U.S. privacy laws impacting interpreters and how they relate to handling sensitive information
• Analyze how legal requirements and cultural considerations influence ethical choices in real-world interpreting situations

Presenter:

Ryan Foley, Director of Communications, MasterWord Services Inc.

Ryan Foley is an Australian-born communications coach, human behavior expert, and keynote speaker equipping inspired people with the tools and knowledge they need to enjoy personal success as powerful communicators.

Ryan’s fascination with verbal and nonverbal communication grew as he studied American Sign Language in the United States. Soon after, he became a nationally certified sign language interpreter. He later gained extensive experience in body language analysis and deception detection through training and mentorship by the best in the business, including the Paul Ekman Institute and former ATF agent, and ‘human lie detector,’ Janine Driver. After accepting a position as head of training for one of North America’s top ten language service companies in 2011, he grew the division to offer some of the most comprehensive interpreter and intercultural communication training programs in the industry. Since 2014, Ryan has consulted for Fortune 500 companies, universities, and professional organizations and coached phenomenal thought leaders, professors, and C-suite executives in the US, Europe, Asia, and Australia on body language, communication, and culture.

Today, Ryan is the Director of Communication for the fastest growing woman-owned language services provider in the world. He is a member of the National Speakers Association and has been featured as a body language expert providing analysis for political debates and current events for Fox 26 and ABC 13 in Houston, Texas.