About This Webinar

Language Access Part 2: Improving language access at your organization 

This webinar is part 2 of our 2-part webinar series on Language Access. This webinar will focus on language access processes, policies, and procedures. A diverse group of panelists will talk about practices within their organizations and strategies for making translation and interpretation more accessible.

Our panelists will talk about:

✅  The relationship between plain language and translation and interpretation

✅  How to support staff with clear policies and procedures around language access

✅  Creative strategies for improving language access with limited resources

✅  Important cultural considerations when creating a language access plan for your organization

This webinar is open to everyone. Please note, the main audience is folks with decision making power at their organization, such as program managers, directors, and organization leadership. 

Meet Our Panelists 

Olivia Piteša, she + her

Olivia is the Language Access Administrator at Denver Public Library, where she works to increase meaningful access to library services, resources, and information for culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
In this webinar, she’ll share insights on developing and implementing a language access program and strategies for building organizational capacity to address community language needs.

Crystal Rosa, she + her

Crystal is the daughter and granddaughter of Americans who were once undocumented Mexicans. She graduated from George Washington University with a double major in Psychology and Criminal Justice. After couch surfing across the country in 2010, Crystal began her career in police oversight as an investigator in Washington, DC. Dedicated to social justice, Crystal joined the City of Cambridge in 2015 working for the Human Rights Commission and the Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship. 
In 2021, with the Family Policy Council, Crystal established the Language Justice Division and created the Language Access Manager position for the City of Cambridge. She has since developed best practices for writing in plain language and working with interpreters. Crystal is dedicated to creating systems that integrate tools and resources that expand access to programs, events, and communications to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for communities to meaningfully participate, feel heard, and be empowered.

Meredith Gamble, she + her

Meredith is the Deputy Director and Language Justice Coordinator at the Somerville Office of Immigrant Affairs in Somerville, Massachusetts where she works to ensure every Somerville community member can access city services, information, and opportunities regardless of the language they speak. She has experience leading equity-centered engagement and communication strategies and has more than 15 years working closely with immigrant families as a public servant, teacher, researcher, and advocate. Meredith holds a PhD in sociology from the University of Massachusetts Boston with a focus on immigrants' rights, labor, health, gender, and participatory action methodologies.  

Where + When

Date: Thursday, March 27

Time: 2:00-3:15 pm CT

You will receive a Zoom link for this webinar after you complete your registration. 

About Plain Language Foundations Webinars

These webinars cover a wide range of topics related to plain language and communication equity. We incorporate dicussion and reflection activities throughout the presentation, and leave plenty of time for questions. 

These webinars are recorded and the link is shared with all registered participants. You can access past recordings on our webinars page.

Looking for a specific webinar topic? Send Sarah your idea.

Accessibility + Other Questions 

We strive to make our webinars as inclusive as possible. The slides are shared in advance and live captions are available via Zoom.  If there are other accommodations we can provide or if you have questions about this training, pease contact Sarah at sarah@litworks.org.