JENNIFER KUYRKENDALL-WATTS
Owner
The journey as a professional career for Jennifer has been marked by diverse experiences and a commitment to enhancing cultural brokering and communication access across various settings. Since embarking on her interpreting career in the summer of 2005, she has accumulated a wealth of experience in fields such as mental health, legal, medical, performing arts, and education at both K-12 and post-secondary levels. As evident in her work, she has shown she is the most passionate about, working with the wide range of deaf individuals who may be language dysfluent and/or language deprived.
Jennifer's dedication to the profession is underscored by her attainment of national interpreter certification in 2008, including the NIC Advanced and Ed: K-12 certificates, which demonstrate her proficiency and commitment to high standards in interpreting. One of her most transformative experiences was participating in the Theater Development Fund’s Interpreting for the Theater program at the Juilliard School in 2009, which she describes as the most exciting and eye-opening moment of her career.
Her passion for the field extends to mentoring emerging interpreters where she shares her knowledge and expertise. Jennifer also has a long-time passion for teaching American Sign Language to the public. Furthermore, she has conducts professional workshops aimed at interpreters, the public, students, and other interested groups, contributing to the development of the interpreting community and promoting awareness of the profession.
Jennifer's multifaceted career reflects her dedication to improving access and understanding through interpretation, hoping to make a significant difference in the lives of those she serves. Beyond interpreting, she is an animal lover, avid gardener, and antique hunter.

“I fortunate enough to be raised in a family where I saw compassion and patience on a daily basis. If my family was able to help those around them, then they would in any way possible. I was fortunate to have ample opportunities to interact with a wide range of sign language users by their – age, degree of hearing loss, race, gender, and education method, then see how all members of my family would engage with them differently. This has proven to be very beneficial in my current work as a sign language interpreter and as a person.” -JKW
Education
Bachelor of Science in Psychology (2019)
Certifications
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Americans with Disability Act Coordinator (2019)
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Qualified Mental Health Interpreter (2018)
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Sign Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI) Rater/Interviewer (2017)
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National Interpreter Certification - Advanced (2009)
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Certificate of Completion - Juilliard Interpreting for the Theatre Institute (2008)
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Ed: K-12 (2008) ASL: 4.7; MCE: 4.5
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National Interpreter Certification (2008)
Interpreting Specializations
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Medical
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Legal
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Large Scale Events/Conventions/Conferences
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Local/State/Federal Government
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Mental Health
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Education
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Corporate
Completed Trainings (not an exhaustive list)
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2024: Legal Interpreter Training, 80 hours
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2019: ADA Coordinator Training Certificate Program (ACTCP)
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2018 - 2023: Mental Health Interpreter Training Alumni Sessions, 40 hours
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2017: Sign Language Proficiency Interview Training, 40 hours
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2017: Communications Skills Assessment Training
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2017: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Training
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2017: Mental Health Interpreter Training Core, 40 hours
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2016: Federal Mediator Training, 40 hours
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2016: Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Counselor Training, 32 hours
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2010: Signing Naturally Curriculum Training
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2009: Juilliard's Interpreting for the Theatre Training, 40 hours
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2005: RIT/NTID C-Print Captionist Training
Professional Affiliations
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Alabama Licensure Board for Interpreters and Transliterators (#L00722)
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Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Certified Member
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ADA Coordinator Training Program (#58609577-4617)
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National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators (#10941)
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Louisiana Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Supporting Member
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Children of Deaf Adults International, Active Member