Providing language access to people whose first language is not English is a growing community need. It’s also a federal requirement under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Failing to provide quality interpreting services can drastically affect the outcome of care and services, as well as cause grave problems for the professionals who need to understand limited English proficient individuals. This presentation will offer tools and community resources to improve effectiveness for clients, customers, patients, and employees, with the aim of implementing better language access in La Crosse and surrounding areas. Such practice is a means of social justice as well as a concrete way to promote community empowerment, equity, and diversity in a variety of organizational settings.
Presented by: Michelle Pinzl, Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the Community Interpreting Certificate at Viterbo University, and Certified Healthcare Interpreter.