The FASLI (Fellow of the Association of Sign Language Interpreters) and the Ben Steiner Triennial Memorial Award.
Fellowship of the Association of Sign Language Interpreters is awarded for valuable and extraordinary commitment to the Association or the profession.
FASLI Recipients:
2022: Daniel Roberts
For extraordinary commitment to the profession and the Association over many years.
Daniel is a long-standing member of ASLI and has served on the board twice. He is highly regarded as an interpreter and as a role model to trainee interpreters.
2021: Dr Robert Adam
For his continued contribution to the interpreting and translation profession both in the UK and elsewhere. For his work as current chair of the Deaf Interpreters’ Network, involvement with the British Deaf Association, the World Federation of the Deaf, as current Assistant Professor at Heriot-Watt university, and previous work at DCAL to name but a few achievements. .
Over many years Robert has contributed to our knowledge of sign language interpreting and the profession through his many published articles. He has been, and continues to be, an inspiration to many translators and interpreters, not only in the UK but across the world as a mentor and a friend.
2020: Andy Carmichael
For his extraordinary and on-going commitment to the profession, speaking out for the interests of interpreting students, trainees, professionals and deaf community members.
Andy is commended for his role as a mentor to many, a thinker and ambassador for ASLI, serving on the ASLI board between 1996 – 1998 and 2014 – 2020.
2020: Ali Hetherington
For her pioneering work in promoting and championing professional supervision among interpreter practitioners, establishing the first ever Diploma in Supervision course for our profession.
As an interpreter trainer, and academic, Ali has continuously pressed the importance of self-care, the need for on-going reflection and professional development.
2019: Gail Dixon
For the time, effort and passion she has shown in her work as a practice professional, supervisor, mentor, colleague and advocate as well as years of dedication to ASLI as a board member and a regular regional attendee. Known as ‘The Oracle’ on all things ASLI, the association continues to benefit from Gail’s support and ongoing guidance.
2018: Sarah Haynes
For her sustained and dedicated efforts, and considerable impact she has made for individuals and in furthering the profession of signed language interpreting
Previously an in-house interpreter st the University of Bristol Centre for Deaf Studies, she taught many interpreting students there for over a decade. She has supported interpreters in the mental health domain through her work with Deaf CAMHS. Sarah continues to train, assess and mentor interpreters through a jointly founded training company. A long standing, active and highly values member of ASLI. Sarah held both Regional and National Chair roles. Sarah’s continued commitment to developing the profession is demonstrated by her current roles, as both a Trustee for the NRCPD and the Signs of God charity, and as Company Secretary and Bible Translator for the BSL Bible Translation Project.
2017: Professor Jemina Napier
For being a guiding light and a source of inspiration to all interpreters. Jemina has been fundamental in shaping the way in which we learn, reflect upon, understand and discuss our profession. Few academics or interpreters have been as prolific as Jemina; her contribution to the theory and practice of interpreting across a wide variety of settings in immeasurable and her passion for the interpreting profession is legendary.
2017: Dr. Robert Skinner
For his extraordinary commitment to the profession, the Association and to sign language communities, near and far.
Rob continually inspires with his skill, enthusiasm, attitude and his energy to go the extra mile in everything he applies himself to. Particularly notable is his academic work on video mediated interpreting.
2016: David Wolfenden
For his longstanding commitment to the profession and the Association, having acted as an ambassador for both, nationally and internationally.
This is demonstrated in the regional and national positions to which David has given his time and energy, and in highly valued mentoring, training and supervisory roles that he continues to offer to fellow interpreters.
2015: Linda Duncan
For her longstanding commitment to the Association, and her work in ensuring that the Scottish interpreters network became recognised as an ASLI region.
2014: Darren Townsend-Handscomb
For longstanding contributions to the profession, offering training, advice, support and guidance to interpreters over the years, as well as leading on a project to develop sign language interpreting services in Gambia. In particular, the Association recognises the time, energy and extraordinary commitment that Darren has put into establishing and maintaining the deafatw website, an invaluable resource for interpreters and Deaf professionals.
2014: Dr. Jules Dickinson
For the extraordinary commitment that Jules has shown to the profession over the years as researcher, lecturer, trainer, and mentor, using her intellect and passion to develop individual interpreters and the profession as a whole. Her unstinting contributions to ASLI as a member of the Access to Work group and Board Director are demonstrated not just in the sheer amount of time and energy given, but in her ability to ‘stand up and say what needs to be said’.
2013: Karen Newby
For her longstanding commitment to the profession and the Association, acting as an ambassador for both. This is demonstrated in the regional and national roles to which Karen has given her time, as well as the much-valued support, advice and mentoring she continues to give to her fellow interpreters.
2013: Bibi Lacey-Davidson
For her work with Professionals and Consumers Working Group and the Our Health in Your Hands projet.
2012: Gill Behenna
For her self-less work in interpreting and beyond. She is best known for founding Signs of God, an organisation bettering Deaf access in Christian settings, including training interpreters, developing BSL resources and providing information. She is also a trustee of a Deaf charity and a Deaf school governor. Gill has worked at ASLI for many years at both regional and national level and is a worthy receipient of the FASLI award.
2011: Elvire Roberts
For her unwavering commitment to the profession as a whole and for her work as an ‘ambassador’ for ASLI.
This is demonstrated in her ‘leading by example’ and her continuous support of the region, and interpreters nationally, through her training and development work.
2011: Jackie Griffiths
For her continuous active support of ASLI, her region and fellow interpreters.
This is demonstrated in her extensive work in helping to develop the Association, her work as a mentor, and the support and advice she gives to fellow interpreters at all levels of their careers.
2010: Dr. Christopher Stone
For his outstanding contribution to interpreters, our clients and the profession through his long serving commitment on the Association’s Executive Committee and for his continued work in the field of research and training.
2008: Roger Beeson
For long term and sustained dedication to the interpreting profession generally and for his commitment in facilitating communication, awareness and information exchanges whilst continuing to challenge preconceptions, both within ASLI and externally
2007: Nigel Cleaver
For his valuable and extraordinary dedication to the Association through his work on the National Executive Committee; in particular for his involvement in representing the Association’s role externally and in establishing the Association’s Professional Development Programme.
2007: Zane Hema
For his valuable and extraordinary commitment to the Association through his work on the National Executive Committee; in particular his inspirational leadership and ongoing commitment to raising the profile of the Association and establishing its international contribution
2006: Granville Tate (Deceased)
For his consistent and outstanding commitment to furthering the work of the Association over many years at local and national levels, and for his contribution to the profession, particularly within the Education domain.
2004: Pauline Ridgeway
For her outstanding contribution to the Association, its members and the profession. (ASLI Membership Lapsed 2010)
2003: Peter Llewellyn-Jones
For his support of the Association, his long standing commitment to the profession and for his exceptional work in the field of the education and training of Sign Language Interpreters. (ASLI Membership Lapsed)
2003: Pádraigín Ní Rághillíg(formerly known as Pat O’Reilly)
For her outstanding commitment and dedication to the Association and the profession, in particular her work on the Association’s Executive Committee which has done so much to move ASLI and profession forward. (ASLI membership lapsed 2010)
2001: Helen Shirley (Deceased)
For her contribution to the Association, as Membership Secretary and Treasurer over many years.
2000: Byron Campbell
For his outstanding contribution to the Association, its members, and the profession, and for his work as a tutor and mentor to student interpreters.
2000: Trudy Field
For her outstanding contribution to the Association, its members, and the profession, and for her work promoting teaching and inspiring interpreters in the field of religious interpreting.
2000: Gloria Ogborn
For her wholehearted commitment to the Association as past national Chair, and for her outstanding work in developing awareness within the legal system.
Ben Steiner Award
“Completing this work for ASLI has been an honour and has given me more ideas for artistic work around the concepts of signing & BSL. I hope those who receive it will gain as much joy and pride from it as I have done.” (Colin Redwood)
About the artist:
Colin Redwood was born Manchester 1957 before moving to Bolton to attend Thomasson Memorial School for the deaf. He spent 22 years working in the printing and graphics trade before returning to further and higher education in 1998 to complete a BA in Visual Arts & Art & Design History.
Colin specialises in sculpture. He attended the Deafway 11 Arts Festival at Gallaudet University in Washington DC as well as presenting work on BBC2’s See Hear programme.
Who is Ben Steiner?
Ben was a unique and remarkable man. In his thirty-one years of life he accomplished more than most could in twice the number of years. As a hearing child of Deaf parents he quickly learned the art of communication in very different languages. He also developed a natural talent for entertaining.
“Brilliant, passionate, controversial and mischievous – he took interpreting in the UK to a new place of excellence. It was said that at times his interpretation into the sign medium seemed to transcend any particular sign language. His powerful intellect could rip the meaning out of the most difficult and obscure English source message and render it clearly in British Sign Language.” (Quoted paragraph modified and with permission from an obituary notice written by Roger Beeson. Complete text compiled from a variety of unacknowledged sources.)
In his twenties Ben Steiner studied Fine Art. Typically, whilst studying Art, he somehow found the time to reach black belt in Karate, and achieve high status as a sign language interpreter in art galleries.
He then went from strength to strength as an interpreter. He interpreted for Royalty, the Arts and Television. His love for language was married with a fine intellect and he gained his MA BSL/English Interpreting at the University of Durham. He became Senior Lecturer at Wolverhampton University where he was involved in developing degree courses and was studying toward a PhD in Linguistics.
In November 2000 Ben Steiner took part in the television programme See Hear (a national, weekly magazine programme in BSL) about coping with cancer. He did so knowing he only had a short time to live.
This award is testimony to a remarkable life. A life that shows what can be achieved with passion, commitment, courage and confidence. Ben Steiner had a strong and proud Deaf identity and was committed to the worlds’ Deaf signing communities.
Previous Recipients:
2005: Liz Scott Gibson
2008: Mary Brennan
2011: As there were no nominations for the Ben Steiner Award this year it has been decided to re-open the
nominations and present the next Ben Steiner Award at our 25th Anniversary AGM & Conference in
Bristol in 2012.
2012: Dr Rachel Sutton-Spence
2017: Roger Beeson
2020: Delayed due to the pandemic
2021: Jacqui Beckford