Question 1

How much does it cost?

Accepted Answer

Every event is different, so we price each one individually and send you a single, clear, all-in number, with no itemized surprises to decode. Tell us about your event on the Request page and we will have a proposal to you, usually the same day.

Question 2

How does payment work?

Accepted Answer

Simply, and all in one number. You get a single all-in figure for your event, with no itemized breakdown to decode. A travel advance secures your date and covers any travel, applied to your final invoice, and the balance is due on clear, standard terms, invoiced through Square. One number, one clean process.

Question 3

Does working with LAS cover our ADA and access obligations?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Providing qualified American Sign Language interpreters is how organizations meet their communication-access responsibilities for Deaf and hard of hearing guests. But with us, that is the floor, not the goal. We design the whole experience so your guests are part of the moment, not just legally accommodated. Compliance handled, hospitality delivered. For the full picture of what the ADA asks and the credit you can earn, see Access, in Plain Sight. This is general guidance, not legal or tax advice.

Question 4

Do you actually know the ADA, or just interpret it?

Accepted Answer

Both. Our founder is a Certified ADA Coordinator (ACTCP), so we design and coordinate access to the standard the ADA actually sets, not only interpret in the moment. If you want to know what your event or venue really needs, we can walk it with you. This is general guidance, not legal advice.

Question 5

Is there a tax credit for providing ASL access?

Accepted Answer

Often, yes, and most hosts never hear it from a vendor. The federal Disabled Access Credit (IRS Form 8826) is for eligible small businesses, generally one with $1 million or less in gross receipts, or 30 or fewer full-time employees, in the prior year. It covers half of eligible access spending between $250 and $10,250, for up to a $5,000 credit per year. The IRS lists qualified interpreters as an eligible expense. A separate federal deduction covers physical barrier removal. We are not tax advisors, so confirm the details with yours, and we will gladly document your access spend. This is general guidance, not legal or tax advice.

Question 6

Whose responsibility is the access, and who pays for it?

Accepted Answer

Under the ADA, providing effective communication, like qualified interpreters, is the venue or host's responsibility, at no cost to your Deaf or hard of hearing guest. That cost is never passed to the guest. We make meeting it easy, hold it to The LAS Standard, and help you document what you provided. This is general guidance, not legal advice.

Question 7

We are having an ASL performer. Do we still need interpreters?

Accepted Answer

Usually yes, and here is the honest reason. An ASL performer is art, and it is unforgettable, but performing and interpreting for access are two different, separately trained crafts. A performance on stage cannot always reach every seat all night, and it does not cover the MC, the other acts, the announcements, or an emergency. So a qualified interpreter stays part of the plan for full access, above all for safety and the moments no one plans for. The standard we are building is to carry the performer on your screens so the art reaches every seat, paired with an interpreter for everything the stage does not carry. We design both so the art and the access each get their due, and we never sell you one as if it were the other.

Question 8

How many interpreters do I need? Do I need a Deaf interpreter?

Accepted Answer

You never have to guess. We prescribe the right team for your event, including how many interpreters and whether a Deaf interpreter belongs in the room, and we explain why. Staffing is our expertise, so you can focus on your event.

Question 9

What is a Deaf interpreter (DI)?

Accepted Answer

A Deaf interpreter is a Deaf professional who works alongside a hearing interpreter for the clearest, most culturally accurate access in certain settings. When your room calls for one, we bring one. It is part of how we make access felt.

Question 10

How far in advance should I book?

Accepted Answer

The sooner the better, especially for large or specialized events, but we handle short notice too. Reach out anytime and we'll tell you straight what's possible.

Question 11

Do you travel? Where do you serve?

Accepted Answer

Las Vegas is home, and we travel nationwide for the right events. Travel is handled transparently and billed lean, at real cost, never padded. When a trip depends on timing, like whether your start time means the team should arrive the day before, we show you both options up front, with and without an overnight, so you choose with the full picture. Either way you see one clear, all-in number, never a pile of line items to decode.

Question 12

Can you do virtual or remote events?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Livestreams, webinars, town halls, and hybrid events, with video remote interpreting (VRI) and on-platform video interpreting (VPI), where the interpreter joins your Zoom, Teams, or webinar directly, all held to the same standard as anything on stage. Remote access should never feel like an afterthought, and with us it does not.

Question 13

In person or video (VRI), which is right for our event?

Accepted Answer

In-person interpreting is the standard we build on, because Deaf guests and the professionals who serve them prefer an interpreter in the room for anything that matters, for accuracy and trust. The ADA asks for communication that is effective for your Deaf and hard of hearing guests, not just convenient to arrange, and for complex, fast-paced, or high-stakes moments video can fall short of that. Video interpreting is a genuine tool, and we use it well when a guest prefers it or when it is the honest way to cover access that in-person cannot reach. What we will not do is push video to trim a budget at the expense of your guests' experience. Tell us your event and we will prescribe the right approach and explain why. This is general guidance, not legal advice.

Question 14

Do you provide CART or captioning, not just ASL?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We offer CART captioning and inclusive event design alongside interpreting, because many hard of hearing guests rely on captions rather than signing. Often the right answer is both at once, ASL for some guests and captions for others, and we prescribe the mix your room actually needs. Access is bigger than the stage.

Question 15

What about DeafBlind, low-vision, or other access needs at my event?

Accepted Answer

Tell us who will be in the room and we design for it. Access is layered, so a DeafBlind guest, for example, may need close-up or tactile signing rather than a shared feed, and we plan for that specifically. Where a need falls outside what we deliver directly, we will still help you find the right resource. You are never left to figure it out alone.

Question 16

Who handles communication access during an emergency?

Accepted Answer

Emergency and safety information, evacuations, weather holds, security announcements, needs its own reliable access path, and it is never optional. When we design your access, we plan for it deliberately instead of assuming the entertainment setup will carry it. Raise it with us early so no guest is ever left without critical information the moment it matters most.

Question 17

Do you serve medical, legal, school, or workplace settings?

Accepted Answer

Our flagship strength is live events, stage and performance, corporate, and conferences, in Las Vegas and nationwide. Tell us your setting and we will point you to your rights and, where we can serve, provide the interpreters. Some settings, like medical and legal, carry specialized requirements, and we're straight about what we can cover rather than overpromising. If it falls outside what we cover, we will still help you find the right resource.

Question 18

We run a venue or festival. How do we make room for Deaf performers?

Accepted Answer

We would love to imagine it with you. Making room for a Deaf performer is a creative and cultural choice, separate from your access planning, and we can help you think through both, so the art and the access each get their due. Tell us about your stage and what you are dreaming up. This is a conversation we love having.

Question 19

What makes LAS different from other agencies?

Accepted Answer

We are Deaf-led and CODA-founded, veteran-owned, fully insured, and led by a Certified ADA Coordinator (ACTCP), Las Vegas based and ready to travel. Above all, we live one belief: accessibility is art. We treat access as hospitality rather than a box to check, so every event gets a prepared, Deaf-informed team who knows your run of show and treats your guests like guests. The aim is equal experiences, the standard, not the exception. Your audience feels the difference.

Question 20

What is The LAS Standard?

Accepted Answer

The LAS Standard is our promise for every event: the right team prescribed for your room and not guessed, prepped against your run of show, Deaf-informed and Deaf-led, fully insured, and a real welcome for your guests. It is how we make sure access is not just present, but felt. Compliance handled, hospitality delivered, held to The LAS Standard.

Question 21

How do you handle our information and confidentiality?

Accepted Answer

With care. Our interpreters work under the NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct, where confidentiality is central, and we share your event details only with the team working your event. For sensitive or health-related settings, we treat every detail with discretion and will work with you on any safeguards your organization needs. You can read the specifics in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, linked at the bottom of every page.

Question 22

How do we get started?

Accepted Answer

Tell us about your event on the Request page: the date, the space, and your audience. We will confirm availability and send one clear, all-in proposal, usually the same day. A real person reads every request.

Question 23

I am Deaf or hard of hearing. Can I request interpreters for an event I want to attend?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and it is your right. You do not have to wait and hope a venue thought of you. Copy the message above, send it to the event host or venue, and add us to the CC line. We take it from there and make the access happen.

Question 24

Who pays for the interpreters?

Accepted Answer

Not you. Under the ADA, the venue or event host is responsible for providing effective communication access at no cost to you. You are allowed to ask, and they are required to respond. We help them arrange it the right way.

Question 25

What are my rights under the ADA?

Accepted Answer

Places open to the public, including theaters, casinos, arenas, conferences, hotels, and clinics, must provide auxiliary aids and services such as qualified sign language interpreters so Deaf and hard of hearing people have equal access, at no charge to you. Asking is not a favor you are requesting. It is access you are entitled to.

Question 26

Is an ASL performer on stage the same as having an interpreter?

Accepted Answer

Not quite, and knowing the difference is your power. An ASL performer signs as art, facing the crowd and moving with the show. It is beautiful, it belongs, and we want that art to thrive. But performing and interpreting for access are two different, separately trained crafts. A performance on stage lives in one place, so it cannot always carry every word to every seat all night, and it is not designed to cover the MC, the other acts, the announcements, or an emergency. Your access is a qualified interpreter you can see clearly for everything that is said, start to finish, at no cost to you, and always ready for the moments that matter most. The future we are building is the performance carried on the venue's screens so it reaches every seat, and even then a qualified interpreter stays part of the plan for everything the stage does not carry. So enjoy the performance, and know you can still ask for the interpreter. Both belong in the same room.

Question 27

The venue says they cannot find anyone, or that it is too late.

Accepted Answer

That is exactly where we come in. Send them our email and CC us. We are a ready, Deaf-led team who can step in professionally, even on short notice. You should never have to go without access because someone waited too long.

Question 28

Can I ask for Lagundo ASL Services by name?

Accepted Answer

Please do. You can name us directly in your request. Deaf-led, culturally rooted, and here for our community first. Naming us makes it easy for the host to say yes and get it right.

Question 29

What if I need access at work, school, or a medical appointment?

Accepted Answer

Reach out and tell us the setting. We will point you to your rights and, where we can serve, provide the interpreters. If it falls outside what we cover, we will still help you find the right resource. You are never on your own with this.

Question 30

Do I have to bring my own interpreter?

Accepted Answer

No. Providing a qualified interpreter is the venue or organization's responsibility, not yours. You are never expected to bring your own, and you are never charged for the access you need to take part.

Question 31

Can a family member or my child interpret for me?

Accepted Answer

You should not have to rely on family, friends, or your own child to interpret. You deserve a qualified professional who signs accurately and keeps your private moments private. Ask for a qualified interpreter, and you can name us to make it easy.

Question 32

Can they charge me extra for the interpreter?

Accepted Answer

No. The cost of access belongs to the organization, never added to your bill or your ticket. If someone tries to pass that cost to you, that is not how access is supposed to work.

Question 33

How early should I ask for an interpreter?

Accepted Answer

As early as you can. A little lead time makes everything smoother. Late is still worth asking, and we handle short notice too. The important thing is that the request is yours to make, so make it.

Question 34

What does “effective communication” actually mean?

Accepted Answer

It is a simple idea with a real backbone: communication with you should be just as clear and understandable as it is for a hearing person, and making that happen is the venue or organization's job, not yours. It is not about doing the bare minimum so you can technically follow along. It is about you receiving the same information, and being able to respond, as easily as everyone else in the room. That is the standard we hold every event to.

Question 35

Do I get a say in how my access is provided?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your own preference is meant to carry real weight in how access is arranged, because no single tool fits everyone and only you know what actually works for you. If ASL is your language, an interpreter is your access, and captions alone are not the same thing. Sometimes the right answer is more than one tool at once. Tell us what works for you, and we build around it.

Question 36

Is video remote interpreting (VRI) the same as having an interpreter there in person?

Accepted Answer

In-person is our standard, and sometimes video is the right call too. Good video depends on a strong connection, a clear screen, and clean sightlines, and many settings really call for an interpreter in the room. What should not happen is remote video handed to you by default to save someone time or money. We help you decide, event by event, so your access is real and not just technically present.

Question 37

Do I have to use video (VRI), or can I ask for an interpreter in the room?

Accepted Answer

You can ask for an interpreter in the room, and in-person is our standard. Deaf people and the professionals who serve them prefer in-person for anything that matters, for accuracy and trust, and the ADA asks for communication that is truly effective for you, not just convenient for the venue. Video interpreting is real access when you choose it, or when it is the only way to reach you in the moment. What should never happen is video pushed on you by default to cut a budget. The choice is meant to be yours, and we help make the in-person ask easy.

Question 38

What if the venue says it is too expensive, or that access is not required?

Accepted Answer

You do not have to accept that at the door. Cost is generally measured against what the whole organization can do, not one department's budget or one event's petty cash. And there is no fixed price that automatically makes access too expensive. Cost or inconvenience by itself is not a valid reason to say no. You are not being difficult by asking. You are asking for something you are entitled to, and we can step in and make it easy for them to say yes.

Question 39

They already have captions or an assistive listening system. Can I still ask for an interpreter?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Those are useful tools, and they are welcome, but they are not automatically the same as an interpreter. An assistive listening system meets a separate, equipment-based requirement. And scrolling captions do not follow ASL grammar, so if ASL is your language, they may not give you equal access on their own. What is effective for you is what counts. You can still ask for a qualified interpreter, and you can name us.

Question 40

Can they make me prove I am Deaf or hard of hearing before providing access?

Accepted Answer

You should not have to jump through hoops to be understood. A request for access does not need special legal wording, a doctor's note, or a pile of paperwork to be taken seriously. Asking is enough to start the conversation. If anyone demands excessive proof before helping you, that is not how access is meant to work, and you can loop us in.

Question 41

Where else can I turn to learn my rights?

Accepted Answer

You are not alone in this. Beyond us, the ADA National Network offers free, plain-language information about your rights and can be reached at 800-949-4232. You can also learn more, or file a complaint if access is denied, at the U.S. Department of Justice's ada.gov. We are always glad to help you think through a specific event too. Reach out anytime. Knowing your access is the first step to using it.

Question 42

How do I join your network?

Accepted Answer

Tell us about yourself on the Join page. We work with qualified interpreters and Deaf interpreters who prepare like professionals, show up present, and care about the whole guest experience. Deaf interpreters especially welcome.

Question 43

Are these paid opportunities?

Accepted Answer

Paid, always, and paid well. Your rate is your floor: we honor the professional rate you set, and we pay above it when the room carries it. Preparation is paid, out loud, never folded in and forgotten. Pay is by secure direct deposit on a clear schedule you always know up front, before you say yes, so there is never a surprise. We respect your value; we do not dictate it.

Question 44

Do I need to be certified to join?

Accepted Answer

Certification is valued, but it is not the only thing we look at. Our roster includes NIC, BEI, and EIPA certified interpreters and Deaf interpreters, and experience, skill, and cultural alignment matter just as much.

Question 45

Are freelance interpreters welcome?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We contract, we do not employ, so freelance interpreters keep their independence and belong here as valued partners.

Question 46

Do you offer mentorship?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Mentorship is a huge part of what we are building. We believe in growing interpreters, not gatekeeping them. Reach out, tell us what you are looking for, and we will connect you with the right people.

Question 47

Are novice interpreters welcome?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Everyone deserves a seat at the table, especially those who are still growing. We build interpreters up, not out. Support over surveillance.

Question 48

How are interpreters matched to jobs?

Accepted Answer

By skill set, specialization, and the specific needs of each event and each Deaf guest. The right match is the whole point, so we staff with intention, never at random.

Question 49

What kind of work is it?

Accepted Answer

The rooms that matter: live events and festivals, stage and performance, corporate and conferences, and more. If you love the craft and the moment, this is the work you have been looking for.

Question 50

What does “Accessibility is art” mean?

Accepted Answer

It is our creed, the belief behind everything we do. At LAS, meaningful access is a craft, an opportunity for attention to detail. It is part of universal design, the standard, not an afterthought, creating memorable equal experiences where every guest is fully present. The craft is ours; the full presence is theirs. Done with real care, access does not just include people, it moves them.

Question 51

Who is LVGUNDO?

Accepted Answer

LVGUNDO is our founder's stage name as an ASL performing artist. It is the name he carries onto the stage when the signing is the performance itself, side by side with the artist, rather than interpreting from the wings. You can see it in our Gallery, where each clip is clearly labeled as either an ASL performance or ASL interpreting, and you can follow along at @lvgundo.

Question 52

What is Sesmedia, and how is it connected to LAS?

Accepted Answer

Sesmedia Enterprises is a Deaf-led company, founded by Eduardo Sesma, built from Deaf culture outward. It gives a good idea the systems, structure, and craft it needs to grow into something that lasts. Sesmedia is a family of ventures built over many years, and Lagundo ASL Services is one of them. Sesmedia is the studio behind much of the technology you experience with LAS. You can see their world at sesmediaenterprises.com.

Question 53

What is a CODA?

Accepted Answer

CODA means Child of Deaf Adults, someone raised by one or more Deaf parents, with ASL often as a first language and Deaf culture as home. Our founder, Lagundo, is a CODA. He was raised in Deaf culture, not just around it, which is why access here comes from lived experience rather than a training manual.

Question 54

What is the difference between capital-D “Deaf” and lowercase “deaf”?

Accepted Answer

Lowercase deaf usually describes the audiological fact of not hearing. Capital-D Deaf describes a cultural and linguistic identity: people who share American Sign Language, history, values, and community. Many people write it as “d/Deaf” to honor both. It is always kind to follow a person's own lead on how they identify.

Question 55

What does “hard of hearing” mean, and why do you say “Deaf and hard of hearing”?

Accepted Answer

Hard of hearing describes people with some hearing loss who may or may not use ASL, and many rely on captions rather than signing. We say “Deaf and hard of hearing” because access is not one-size-fits-all: the same event can need ASL interpreting for some guests and captioning for others, at the same time. Saying both names keeps everyone in the room, not just the guests we thought of first.

Question 56

What is DeafBlind?

Accepted Answer

DeafBlind describes people who have both hearing and vision loss, in varying degrees. Access often looks different here, sometimes close-up or tactile signing, sometimes another individualized accommodation, and a distant interpreter or a screen usually will not work. If a DeafBlind guest is part of your event, tell us early and we will help design for it, because access is layered and one solution does not cover every need.

Question 57

What is American Sign Language, and is it universal?

Accepted Answer

American Sign Language is a complete, natural language with its own grammar, word order, and culture, used across the United States and much of Canada. It is not universal. Other countries have their own signed languages, such as British Sign Language or Mexican Sign Language, and they are distinct languages. ASL is also not tied to English.

Question 58

Is ASL just English on the hands?

Accepted Answer

No. ASL is its own language with its own grammar and structure, not a signed spelling-out of English. Meaning lives in handshape, movement, space, facial expression, and timing all at once, which is part of why skilled interpreting reads as fluent rather than word for word. Signing an English sentence sign by sign is a different thing entirely, and it is not ASL.

Question 59

What does “qualified interpreter” mean, and why do you say qualified instead of certified?

Accepted Answer

A qualified interpreter is one who can interpret effectively, accurately, and impartially, both receptively and expressively, using the vocabulary the setting requires. Certification is one valuable signal of skill, and much of our network is certified, but it is not the whole picture: experience, cultural fluency, and the right fit for the room matter just as much. Qualified is the real standard, which is why we lead with it.

Question 60

How do I get a Deaf person's attention, and what are a few basics of Deaf etiquette?

Accepted Answer

A light wave in their line of sight, a gentle tap on the shoulder, or flicking a light on and off are all normal and welcome ways to get attention. Keep your face visible, do not cover your mouth, and make eye contact rather than looking at the interpreter when you are speaking to a Deaf person. When an interpreter is present, speak directly to the guest, as in “What would you like?”, not “Ask her what she wants.” If you want to learn more, our community ASL classes are a warm place to start.

Question 61

Is the LAS website itself accessible?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and we hold ourselves to the same standard we ask of others. Our website and app are built to meet WCAG 2.2 AA, with full keyboard operation, screen reader and braille support, strong contrast, scalable text, reduced-motion support, and forms that guide you. If anything is ever hard to use, we want to hear about it so we can fix it.

Question 62

What are “auxiliary aids and services”?

Accepted Answer

It is the phrase for the tools that make communication work, and qualified sign language interpreters, including Deaf interpreters, are one of them, along with captioning and other supports. You do not need to memorize the term. Just know that when you ask for an interpreter, you are asking for something the law already names and expects the organization to provide, at no cost to you.

Question 63

What is “program access,” and why does it mean the whole experience?

Accepted Answer

Access is judged by the whole experience, not one piece of it. A building can have every ramp and every accessible door and still leave you out if you cannot actually follow what is being said. That is why we never treat communication as an add-on. Getting in the door, understanding the moment, and being able to take part are all part of the same thing, and all of them should be ready for you.

Question 64

What is the difference between “compliance” and real access?

Accepted Answer

Compliance is meeting the legal floor. Real access is you walking in and finding the room already ready for you, and leaving glad you came. The law is the starting line, not the finish. Plenty of places are technically compliant and still forget the person. We are Deaf-led, so we build for the felt experience, not the checkbox. Accessibility is not an afterthought. It is hospitality.

Good questions. Honest answers.

Deaf or hard of hearing? Know your rights.

Still have a question?