History of RSA

1966:

RSA funding began in 1966 when it provided grant funds to support the RID in its efforts to establish a professional organization for interpreters

1967:

RSA awarded a grant to the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) for a series of pilot sign language classes and for assisting colleges and universities to establish sign language training programs.

1974:

RSA began providing grant funding to train interpreters to six institutions.

1978:

RSA expands its funding to ten post-secondary institutions.

1990:

RSA adds to national projects to its docket.

1990:

Western Oregon University was awarded RSA funding for the first time.

1995:

El Camino College received its first award.

2005:

RSA eliminates the national projects and reduces the number of regional projects from ten to five.

2005:

Concurrently, it establishes all new program protocols including the establishment of a National Center to coordinate the work of the Regional Centers.

2005:

Rather than competing for the western region of the United States, WOU and ECC chose to apply for funds as a single collaborative entity entitled WRIEC.

2010:

WRIEC sought and were awarded RSA funds to continue its work.

Today:

The Western Region Interpreter Education Center (WRIEC) continues to serve a successful collaboration of Western Oregon University (WOU) and El Camino College (ECC).