UPDATES ABCD 2026 Interpreter Conference. Due to unforeseen circumstances and after careful consideration, the Interpreter Workshop sessions with CEUs will unfortunately not be offered at this year’s ABCD Conference. The ABCD 2026 Conference will still continue as scheduled. All individuals who registered for the Interpreter Conference will receive an email with options regarding their registration. We appreciate your understanding and continued support of ABCD. Registration is still open for any interpreters who wish to join us as regular conference attendees.
The North American Mission Board
is an Approved RID CMP Sponsor for continuing education activities. This Professional Studies program is offered for up to 0.55 CEUs at the Little/None Content Knowledge Level.
Workshop Leaders
Kris & Frances Courson
Kris Courson graduated from Dallas Baptist University with a bachelor’s degree in history and from Golden Gate Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity. He has been a professional interpreter since 1981, providing services in Texas, California, Alabama, and overseas. Currently, he owns and operates Sign Language Interpreting Services, LLC in Alabama, oJering comprehensive interpreting services. Kris holds NIC and Ed: K-12 certifications. Beyond his interpreting career, Kris has served as a pastor, missionary, and church planter of the Deaf in Texas, California, Alabama, and Russia. These diverse experiences have enriched his understanding and approach to his work. He is committed to placing interpreters, teachers of the deaf, and Deaf language mentors in K-12 settings, especially in rural areas to ensure they have access to qualified personnel. Kris also serves on the Legislative Committee for the Alabama Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (ALRID), contributing to the professional community. He has completed Project CLIMB training for legal interpreting and IRIS training, a professional development community focused on interpreting inrural areas. He recently served on their council of experts, seeking to improveservices in rural areas. He is currently co-pastor of New Deaf Church in Hoover, Alabama. In his free time, he enjoys spending time outdoors on his deck and shopping for deals at Costco and Sam’s Club.
Dr. Frances Flowers Courson received her undergraduate degree in Deaf Education from the University of Montevallo, where she was awarded a scholarship for excellence in teaching Deaf children. She earned her Master of Science in Deaf Education from Texas Woman’s University and her doctoral degree, Ed.D., in Deaf Studies and Deaf Education from Lamar University. Frances lived among the Deaf of Russia in Moscow with her family for 10 years, where she learned Russian and Russian Sign Language. She holds the National Interpreting Certification (NIC) and Educational: K-12 (ED: K-12) certificate from the Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf (RID). She has taught all ages/grades of Deaf and hard of hearing children from preschool to high school in her career, as well as served as an educational interpreter in K-12 and post-secondary settings. She is currently an assistant professor in the Education of the Deaf program at the University of Montevallo. Her research interests include teaching writing to Deaf and hard of hearing students and higher education pedagogy for pre-service teachers of the Deaf. She has multiple publications, with others under review, in journals such as American Annals of the Deaf and the Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education, along with numerous conference presentations. She has also served on the board of the Association of College Educators of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ACEDHH). Outside of her professional work, she enjoys spending time with her granddaughters and grandson every chance she get
Workshops
The workshop leader, coordinators, and participants are dedicated to having a welcoming, respectful environment for all participants.
Accommodations
Requests for reasonable accommodations should be sent to albcdeaf@gmail.com or contact Crystal Huffman 270-282-8213
Accommodations Deadline Request – March 3rd, 2026.
Workshop
RID Sponsor Name: North American Mission Board
Presenter/Instructor Name: Kris and Frances Courson
Date(s)/Time of Activity: Saturday, March 7
Title of Activity: Interpreting in Ministry: Roles, Boundaries, and Ethical Pitfalls
RID activity Code: Pending
Level of Participant’s Prior Knowledge of Topic:
x Little/NoneTarget Audience: Church/Ministry Based Interpreters (volunteer or paid), ministry access teams, and interpreters serving: worship services, sermons, announcements Bible studies/small groups prayer gatherings, retreats/camps ministry meetings, events, or outreach
Workshop Description:
Interpreting in church and ministry settings is rewarding—and uniquely complex. Interpreters are often insiders: members, volunteers, friends of leadership, or staff. That closeness can blur boundaries and create ethical pressure points such as role confusion, dual relationships, confidentiality challenges, and conflicts of interest. This workshop helps church/ministry-based interpreters clarify the roles they serve in ministry, recognize common pitfalls (including “hearing leadership fallback” and patronizing attitudes toward Deaf people), and use practical boundary language that protects Deaf autonomy and supports healthier communication patterns within the church.
Educational Objectives:
Evaluation & Assessment:
Participants will be assessed through group discussions, case studies, and reflection exercises.
Flyer 2026
Schedule
