About Us

An RID certified interpreter owned interpreting referral company, located in beautiful Colorado Springs, Colorado, and serving large portions of the State.

Our story

Sign Language Network Inc. (SLN) was established in November 1995, when four of us interpreters gathered around a kitchen table to discuss the possibilities. Because the Colorado State School for the Deaf and Blind has been located here since 1874, a large portion of the state’s Deaf and hard of hearing population has settled along the Front Range in the Colorado Springs/Denver areas. It was evident to us that there was a growing need for qualified, professional sign language interpreting services. We organized our company to provide those services.

The four original owners were responsible for all aspects of the business. We established a deaf news and ads newsletter full of local events related to the deaf community. We became local affiliates with the Rocky Mountain Disability & Business Technical Assistance Center, assisting businesses with ADA compliance, became members of the Better Business Bureau, and provided sign language classes on a customized basis, taught by deaf instructors.

What we provide

We provide interpreting, transliterating, oral, and deaf/blind interpreting in the areas of social services, computer & technical, medical, mental health, theatrical & performing arts, educational (all levels K-12 and post-secondary), judicial, government agencies, religious, private business, conventions, job interviews, training and more.

In the community

SLN is well known for its involvement with community events, such as local cowboy poetry programs, storytelling festivals, the annual Generation Journey shows in the Pikes Peak Center (proceeds go to charity), the annual Kennedy Center Imagination Celebration shows, and other nationally known performances.

SLN is proud to provide professional sign language interpreting services to such a wonderful community of deaf and hearing consumers. I often look back and remember what it was like growing up in a family of seven children, two of which were born deaf. I remember as a teenager watching a shadow interpreted play at Gallaudet University. My father reached over and whispered, “You could do that some day.” Growing up with two deaf brothers, my initial job at the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind, and my parents’ encouragement have made me the interpreter and business owner that I am today.

Special thanks to Mary Love CI & CT, Joann Huss CI & CT, and Debra Fenlason IC/TC & CI, for their efforts in the establishment of Sign Language Network Inc.

Our team

Betsy Hartman

President/Owner

Originally from Mississippi, Betsy graduated from the Interpreter Training Technology (ITT) Program at Hinds Community College in 2004 after earning her Bachelor of Arts from Mississippi College.

Betsy’s interpreting career began in the Mississippi public school system, where she spent four years as an Educational Interpreter. During that time, she also enjoyed volunteering at the Mississippi School for the Deaf, and co-teaching community ASL classes alongside Deaf instructors, and gained experience in performance interpreting.

In 2011, Betsy moved to Colorado Springs, where she met her husband, a Colorado native, while hiking the Manitou Incline. Since then, she has had the privilege of interpreting in a variety of community settings before serving for five years as an Educational Interpreter with Colorado Springs School District 11.

When she’s not interpreting, you’ll likely find her spending time with her husband and two daughters exploring Colorado’s incredible mountains. The outdoors has become one of her favorite places to recharge.

The Deaf community has always been at the center of Betsy’s heart. Her vision and goal is to continue the legacy this agency is known for, valuing professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to providing high-quality interpreting services that foster genuine communication and lasting partnerships with the Deaf community, our clients, and our interpreters.

Vanessa Emmons

Bookkeeping

Vanessa is a 4th generation born and raised South African. She started working in banking at the age of 18 and worked at the same bank in South Africa until she started to travel at the age of 24. In the US she held numerous different positions within the banking industry, from teller to Supervisor and Assistant Manager.

She backpacked for over 2 years during which time she met and married her husband and had her two wonderful daughters. She lived in Colorado Springs for 17 years with her family. In 2015 she moved to Oregon and has been working remotely for us since then.

Vanessa started working for us in February of 2011 and is responsible for accounting, bookkeeping, and answering phones. She is resourceful, and her attention to detail is amazing.

Blue Emmons

Bookkeeping

Blue works part time at Sign Language Network as a billing assistant. She also works part time with her family business Blue Willow Enterprises. She volunteers at the local Humane Society which is where she adopted her cat named Markus, who is 2 years old.

Blue is an Honors student at Connection Academy in Oregon. She enjoys the versatility and the ability to get better grades while being home schooled. She enjoys spending time with family and friends. She also enjoys Photography, and plans to continue studying photography beyond high school.

Carrie Myers

Carrie is a big-hearted adventurer with a love for life’s simple joys and meaningful connections. She adores her dog, Penelope, and can often be found spending cozy evenings outside, soaking in the peace of the evening air. A fan of all things Denver, Carrie enjoys the city’s vibrant art scene, especially musicals and plays that bring stories to life on stage. She finds deep fulfillment working alongside her friends with special needs, creating moments of joy and friendship every day. Grounded by her love for people and nature, she seeks to live with intention and bring light to those around her.

Andrea Reeves

Retired

Andrea M. Reeves is one of the original business owners who started Sign Language Network Inc. in 1995.

Andrea was introduced to sign language as a child due to growing up with two deaf siblings. She interpreted for her brothers in church, cub scouts, boy scouts, and school programs.

After moving to Colorado Springs with her family in 1979, she accepted a job at the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind where she was a dorm supervisor for eleven years. Her responsibilities involved taking care of up to 17 deaf children at a time within her dorm, planning activities, helping with homework, helping the children get ready for bedtime, and reading books to the children using sign language.

During free time from her dorm work, Andrea would often interpret out in the community. She was an interpreter out in the community for 10 years before starting her business with three fellow interpreting professionals. She became nationally certified in 1994 to ensure professionalism and skill level to meet her deaf consumers needs.