How Language Access Promotes Equity

Language access isn’t just a courtesy—it’s a civil right Kristin Quinlan reminds us that schools are legally required under Title VI and the ADA to provide professional interpretation and translation services. Yet in practice, implementation remains inconsistent. When children are asked to interpret for family members, it places an unfair emotional and academic burden on them. Districts can take four key steps: 1. Translate essential documents (enrollment, IEPs, policies, report cards). 2. Partner with qualified language-service providers. 3. Develop a district-wide language-access plan and train staff. 4. Embed language access in district goals and seek sustainable funding. Quinlan emphasizes that building systems for language access strengthens family engagement, supports equity, and is critical for student success. https://lnkd.in/g5iMzTyA

🚨 Episode Alert!🚨 Language Access Matters host Carol Velandia, MBA, CHI, PMP, MSW ⚖️ welcomes the first European guest , with her incredible insights and a passionate voice for language equity and patient-centered care ❤️, Nur Ferrante Morales. Together, they delve into a vital but often overlooked topic 🧠. Linguistic Validation: Giving Voice to Patients in Global Research in Healthcare and clinical research 🏥. Nur, a linguist and integrative physiotherapist 🧘♀️, breaks down how proper language adaptation ensures inclusivity, clarity, cultural sensitivity, and belonging in patient-facing documents worldwide 🌐📄. Nur shares her incredible journey as a leading expert in linguistic validation ✨. She unpacks how culturally adapted communication tools ensure accuracy , trust, and inclusivity in clinical trials and patient care, prompting empowerment and loss of fear on the patient’s side 💬. This episode is a must-listen 🎧 for anyone working at the intersection of language, health, and equity ⚖️. 🔍 Let’s explore this topic together! Key topics we explore: 🗣️ How linguistic validation ensures patient-centric communication 🔄 The step-by-step process: forward translation, back translation, reconciliation & harmonization 🌍 Why cultural nuance and plain language matter ⚠️ Real-life consequences of poor translation in healthcare Tune in now: 📺 YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eGufA47e 🎙️ PodBean: https://lnkd.in/eEnxJpq2 📣 Don't miss this thoughtful and eye-opening episode on how words shape equity in healthcare and why linguistic validation is a must in global research today. Carol Velandia, MBA, CHI, PMP, MSW ⚖️Nur Ferrante Morales #LanguageAccess #LinguisticValidation #TranslationMatters #InclusiveCommunication #CulturalCompetence #HumanInTheLoop #PatientCentric #GlobalHealth #LanguageJustice #HealthcareEquity #InterpretationMatters #ResearchForAll #LanguageRights #InclusiveResearch #ClinicalTrialsMatter #EquityInHealth #LanguageInHealthcare #EthicalTranslation #TranslatorsOfInstagram #InterpreterLife #languagerightsarehumanrights #effectiveinclusionthroughlanguageaccess #equallanguageaccess #Translation #translationservices #globalmarket #ProfessionalTranslations #LanguageAccess #languageaccesscivilrights

Language accessibility is a lifeline connecting people to care, justice, and opportunity ⬇️ Just like we don’t question the need for ramps to access buildings, we shouldn’t view language services as optional or charitable. When someone can’t communicate, even temporarily, it’s like facing an invisible barrier that stops them from fully participating in society. The cost of ignoring that barrier is high. In healthcare alone, communication errors waste billions of dollars every year: delays, misdiagnoses, and misunderstandings that harm both people and systems. We shouldn’t view Language access as a cost. It’s an investment in equity, efficiency, and trust. In this clip from my LocDiscussion with Carol Velandia, MBA, CHI, PMP, MSW ⚖️ Founder & CEO of Equal Access Language Services and board member of Vamos Juntos - Association of Language Services of Latin America and the Caribbean she explains why we need to reframe how we see language accessibility. What would change if we all viewed language access as essential infrastructure?