Windell “Wink” Smith Jr
Wink photoHolds an NIC Masters from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. Windell is currently the Director of Outreach & Video Communications at SLRS- Sign Language Resource Services, Inc. He has developed the SLRS VRI (Video Remote Interpreting) Program including designing a completely new and unique VRI Module. Windell co-founded and serves as CEO for a not-for-profit organization, Project N.A.D.I.N.E. (National Advocates on Deafness to Inform, Network and Enrich). In 2009 he was elected to serve as parliamentarian for the Oklahoma RID chapter later becoming the Vice-President,  where he also serves on the bylaws and licenser committee. Windell also provides one-on-one interpreting mentoring, incorporating his experiences growing up as a CODA (Child of Deaf Adult(s)) teaching how to be an effective interpreter with the understanding of Deaf culture. Windell has also written and produced an ASL DVD entitled Idioms! “Do You See What I’m Saying”?

CODA Crash Course Part 1 --  advanced/interpreters -- two hours -- Thursday night "night owl" class
      What is it like growing up in a hearing family?... This is usually the response Windell will give to those that ask “What was it like growing up in a Deaf home?” When he started to research his surroundings growing up, which lead him to developing this workshop where he tries to explain certain norms and issues within the Deaf community that he as a CODA accepted as a norm, but yet couldn't explain. This workshop focuses on core issues that also bring an entertaining light to these topics. Including interpreting experiences that have lead him to a deeper understanding, We are all still learning.

CODA Crash Course Part 2 --  advanced/interpreters -- two hours      
This is a 'stand-alone" continuation from Part 1.  At the conclusion of the workshop, participants will be able to:

1. List  norms and issues involving CODA’s upbringing

2. List perspectives related to the Deaf, CODA and Hearing  


Make the English Tangible in ASL -- advanced/interpreters -- four hours
Picture a train... What do you see? Now ask a friend to picture a train and have them explain or draw what they first saw. Is it the same image you had? Most likely not, ASL is not any different, we all have different pictures. One interpreter may interpret a concept completely differently than you do. This workshop focuses on harnessing the ability to take English and create a beautiful ASL interpretation that bridges the gap culturally all along with the respect of each participant’s picture in their mind.

Idioms!  Do You See What I'm Saying?
      This workshop will demonstrate how to break down idioms not by the words, but by meaning and using the sentence structure to your benefit. This workshop will provide tools to participants on how to analyze the English idiom and the best practices with idioms. Participants will be shown example idioms some with multiple meaning and delivery. This workshop will set the ground work for deconstructing idioms to the core meaning to convey effectively using ASL concepts.