MichaelN. Ahimsa, B.S.,NIC-A, NAD-III, EMT-B, holds advanced, national certification from the Registryof Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), has been providing ASL-Englishinterpretation services for more than a decade, and previously owned and operatedVital Signs Interpreting (MN). During the mid 1990’s, he befriended severalDeaf peers and became immersed in American Sign Language. Michael earned hisAAS degree in Interpreting/Transliterating in 2004 from Saint Paul College’sInterpreter Training Program (MN), his BS degree in 2013 from Charter Oak StateCollege (CT), and is currently pursuing a MA degree in Integrative Health andHealing with a certificate in EcoTherapy through The Graduate Institute (CT). Michael’sexpertise lies in performing arts and conference (platform), Deafblind, highlyvisual/MLS, and medical/mental health interpreting. His professional experienceadditionally spans a breadth of settings, inclusive of LGBTQ, video relay (VRS)and video remote (VRI), corporate and vocational, as well as primary,secondary, and post-secondary education. After moving from his native Minnesotato Connecticut in 2011, Michael has worked as an interpreter with FSW, anot-for-profit human service agency, and the State of Connecticut’s Departmentof Rehabilitation Services (DoRS). He currently resides in West Hartford,Connecticut with his spouse, child, and two dogs, where he enjoys nurturingnature, making music, and being an agent of change.