Who We Are, What We Do
ABOUT US
Friends Interpreting Services, LLC is a proud GSA contract holder, #GS00F216DA.
Who We Are
Friends Interpreting Services, LLC (FIS) is a Deaf-woman-owned business dedicated to breaking down communication barriers and promoting full inclusion for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities. Founded by Alli Friends, FIS is built on personal experience, professional expertise, and a deep commitment to accessibility.
Our team is made up of certified, highly qualified interpreters and captioners who bring professionalism, cultural competence, and passion for equity in every assignment. We are proud to serve clients nationwide—from federal agencies and healthcare providers to schools, businesses, and community organizations.
What We Do
At FIS, we provide comprehensive language access services designed to meet the unique needs of each client and setting:
- American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting – Onsite and virtual interpreting for meetings, appointments, classrooms, conferences, and more.
- Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) and Virtual Interpreting – On-demand access to interpreters through secure platforms, available in both short increments and scheduled sessions.
- CART Services (Communication Access Real-Time Translation) – Real-time captioning that provides instant speech-to-text for education, legal, healthcare, and events.
- Consulting & Training – Guidance on ADA compliance, best practices, and building accessible environments.
Every service we provide is delivered with professionalism, confidentiality, and cultural awareness—ensuring effective communication for all.
About Us
FIS was founded with a simple mission: to ensure effective, reliable communication anytime, anywhere, and in any situation.
As a Deaf-owned company, we bring both lived experience and industry expertise to the table. We know firsthand the impact of accessibility—and the cost of language deprivation. That’s why we work tirelessly to provide services that are not only compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), but also centered on dignity, equity, and human connection.
At Friends Interpreting Services, we believe that communication is a right, not a privilege—and we are proud to be your trusted partner in accessibility.
Meet Our Founder, Alli
Alli Friends is the CEO, Owner, and Founder of Friends Interpreting Services, LLC, a Deaf-woman-owned business providing American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting services across multiple states.
She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from Gallaudet University and an M.A. in Deaf Education from McDaniel College (formerly Western Maryland College).
Alli is a proud mother of four—two sets of twins—who are both CODAs (Children of Deaf Adults) and KODAs (Kids of Deaf Adults). At home, she also enjoys the company of several pets.
Alli is a hard-working mother and business owner who knows what it takes to be successful. Beyond her professional life, she enjoys cooking, meeting new people, and traveling.
Driven by her passion for accessibility, Alli is committed to ensuring that Deaf communities have access to effective, reliable communication services—anytime, anywhere, and in any situation.
Overcoming Language Deprivation
Alli grew up mainstreamed in school without access to ASL interpreters during middle school and high school. She was unfairly placed in the lowest academic track with students labeled as “not smart”—a placement that did not reflect her true potential.
Together with a Deaf classmate, she wrote a letter appealing for Certified ASL Interpreters for all Deaf students at her school. Unfortunately, that request was denied. Shortly after her graduation, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed—a law that might have changed her entire educational experience had it existed just a few years earlier.
Alli reflects on those years as a time of great loss: she was badly deprived of language access and educational opportunity. That experience fuels her passion today. She believes firmly that no one should ever be language deprived—and it is this conviction that drives her mission to provide effective communication for every Deaf individual.
The Beginning of Friends Interpreting Services, LLC
Alli Friends first launched Friends Interpreting Services, LLC in 2005. However, life had a different plan. Shortly after starting her business, Alli became pregnant with her first set of twins. Realizing the high cost of daycare, she decided to put her business on hold and focus on being a mother.
Two years later, Alli was surprised with the arrival of a second set of twins—leaving her with four children under the age of two and a half. While she cherished motherhood, caring for four babies was both a joy and an incredible challenge.
When her children were a little older, Alli reignited her dream and relaunched Friends Interpreting Services. With determination and persistence, she balanced raising her children while building a company that would soon thrive. Her commitment, combined with the hard-working spirit she inherited from her father, fueled her success.
Through perseverance, sacrifice, and dedication, Alli transformed Friends Interpreting Services into a successful, respected business that continues to grow and serve communities today.
Resources
Want to become a Sign Language Interpreter?
National Association of the Deaf
Places of public accommodation (private businesses that are open to the public) must give people with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in and to benefit from their services.
Video Remote Interpreting (VRI)
A video telecommunication service that uses devices such as web cameras or videophones to provide sign language or spoken language interpreting services.