Sign Language Interpreting Professionals

Danielle our Owner and CEO interned under Richard Meritzer, so it’s incredibly meaningful to her to now serve on the committee that selects an award recipient in his name.

Richard’s impact on accessibility and inclusion in Pittsburgh continues to ripple through this community, and this award honors individuals and organizations carrying that work forward by creating meaningful, measurable change.

Nominations are now open for the 8th Annual Richard Meritzer Award, presented by Film Pittsburgh, the City of Pittsburgh–Allegheny County Task Force on Disabilities, and ReelAbilities Pittsburgh.

If you know a person or organization advancing accessibility and inclusivity in Pittsburgh or Allegheny County, I encourage you to submit a nomination.

🗓 Nominations due: June 12, 2026
🎬 Award presentation: September 3, 2026 at the fully accessible Pittsburgh Playhouse

Learn more here: Film Pittsburgh – Richard Meritzer Award Call for Entries (https://filmpittsburgh.org/news/call-for-entries-8th-annual-richard-meritzer-award)

To our incredible roster of interpreters — and those we have yet to work with — thank you for all you do for the Deaf community. Happy Interpreter Appreciation Day!

We’re proud to continue our partnership with Film Pittsburgh as a Community Partner—supporting access, inclusion, and meaningful storytelling in our region.

Next up: JFilm 2026, the largest Jewish cultural event in Pittsburgh, returns April 30–May 10 with powerful films from around the world.

One event we especially encourage you to attend:

🎬 Disposable Humanity
Presented as part of ReelAbilities Pittsburgh
📅 Sunday, May 3 | 5:30 PM
📍 McConomy Auditorium

This important documentary will be followed by a live talkback—creating space for reflection, dialogue, and deeper understanding.

👉To learn more about it and watch the trailer: https://jfilm26.eventive.org/schedule/69c54fb1b45b56e08f238732
🎟️ Use code SLIPJF26 for $3 off your ticket

At SLIP, we believe access is essential—not optional. Events like this, with built-in accessibility services, help ensure more people can engage, learn, and be part of the experience.



(Film Pittsburgh’s broad range of programming is designed for people of all ages, races, religions, and abilities. All events are held in fully ADA compliant, wheelchair-accessible venues.

Other accessibility services:

ASL
Audio description
Open captions or subtitles
Tactile interpretation (available upon request)
These services are always free. They are always provided at ReelAbilities Pittsburgh and are available at all Film Pittsburgh events upon request.

For more information, or to arrange for accessibility services, please contact our Accessibility Coordinator, Judy Kaplan, at least one week in advance by email at [email protected] or call us at (412) 426-FILM.)

Disposable Humanity A ReelAbilities Film Co-presented with Achieva & the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh Disposable Humanity will be preceded by: Extinguished Lives (Director: Roberta Grossman, Lithuania/USA, 16 min, English, Lithuanian, Yiddish with subtitles) This program will be followed by a talkback with Randall Ha...

Heading to the 2026 Pittsburgh Draft?

You now know SLIP is going to be onsite at the Draft.

But, did you know?! You can use Aira Explorer + Aira ASL FREE while riding Pittsburgh Regional Transit!

Getting to the Draft just got easier—download the app, connect to the Pittsburgh Regional Transit Access Offer, and navigate with confidence.

From your ride to watching the Draft, you can connect every step of the way.

Learn more at these links: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DVzHdoegfUY/ https://aira.io/pittsburgh-regional-transit/

The quarterly PA Advisory Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing meeting is this Friday December 5th 9am-3pm. The meetings are public and the registration link and agenda are included on this site: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dli/notices/advisory-council-for-the-deaf-and-hard-of-hearing You may come and go from the meeting - see you there!

Advisory Council for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing Advisory Council for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing

SLIP is proud to be a Community Partner of Film Pittsburgh!

Check out what they've got going on!

THREE RIVERS FILM FESTIVAL - 3RFF 2025
It's festival season! Film Pittsburgh proudly announces the 44th annual Three Rivers Film Festival (3RFF), returning November 12–23, 2025 with a dynamic lineup of independent features, shorts, panels, parties, and special events across multiple venues in the city.

This year’s festival showcases 23 feature films and 113 short films presented in-person and online, including East Coast premieres and filmmaker Q&As. Films will screen at the newly remodeled Hollywood Theater operated by Row House Cinema, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's Harris Theater, The Lindsay Theater in Sewickley, and Point Park University’s PNC Theater in the Pittsburgh Playhouse. Passes and single tickets ON SALE NOW! Visit filmpittsburgh.org for the details!

This year, ​we will be co-presenting two incredible feature films with ReelAbilities International—Horsegirls and The Tallest Dwarf—as well as offering a virtual redux of the disability-themed short films that played at the ReelAbilities Pittsburgh Film Festival earlier this year, in case you missed them.

Film Pittsburgh | Bringing Independent Film to Pittsburgh Presenting fierce independent film in Pittsburgh.

We are excited to announce that we are a proud sponsor of 2axend’s 2025 Legal Interpreting Summit!

This virtual event is designed to help interpreters optimize the delivery of interpreting services to Deaf, DeafBlind and hard of hearing individuals during legal-related encounters.

Join us virtually from October 24 – 25, 2025 for an event you won't want to miss.

Register today at http://www.2axend.com/LISummit! (Looking to save a few dollars? Use code: SLIP20 for 20% off summit registration.)

Community Yoga with ASL interpreter is coming back this fall!

For 5 years, Open Up has offered yoga with an ASL interpreter in Pittsburgh. After a short break, we’re excited to bring it back this fall with free community classes, thanks to the support of a generous sponsor.

Now we want to hear from YOU!

What days/times work best for you?

Take our quick survey here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScKfDlglXWsGMKNQAlEF35oQ75NpMiWYhuzKOsh6ZUK7k8oIA/viewform

And please help us spread the word to those who might be interested!

Image description: This is a colorful graphic that includes the information in the caption, as well as www.open-up.org, 3711 Butler St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201. It also has a picture of a person doing a seated twist on a yoga mat, and a QR code for filling out the survey.