Diversity & Inclusion: The Language Barrier

On The Down Lola is breaking down the topic of Diversity & Inclusion in a series of episodes. In this episode of OTDL, Lola is joined by a good Pride Judy, Tiffany Hanson. They broke down the often over looked topic of barriers to inclusion due to language. 

Tiffany works for LUNA Language Services, and Indy Pride here in the greater Indianapolis area. She is also a member of the Diversity Round Table of Central Indiana. We looked at a few barriers to inclusion due to language and some starter solutions to bridging the gap. 

Some of LUNA's services:

• On-site Interpreting: Ensure that larger meetings, community forums, and education and outreach events are accessible to all community members
• Phone Interpreting: Use for quick interactions to facilitate assessment conversations and discussions containing sensitive information
• On-site ASL Interpreting: Manage ongoing communication and engage new Deaf or hard of hearing constituents
• Video Remote Interpreting (VRI): Use for brief discussions with your Deaf or Hard of Hearing constituents such as question answering and appointment scheduling
• Document and Website Translation: Expand the exposure of your outreach by translating your written materials into common languages found in your area (via website, outreach and education materials, social media posts, and surveys)
• Training for Bilingual Staff: An introduction to industry best-practices for your multilingual staff to act as informal interpreters when appropriate
• Cultural Training: Create a more welcoming and inclusive workplace

Some Possible Solutions

• To reach the deaf and hard of hearing groups, ensure all video announcements are accessible with a trained ASL interpreter.
• Provide a transcript of all video messaging with each announcement to support Deaf and hard of hearing employees.
• If a transcript is provided, you might also consider translating that into other major languages in your workforce.
• Announcements shared via social media can be quickly and easily translated or made into a quick ASL video to ensure accessibility and reach.
• Facebook is heavily utilized by the Deaf and multilingual communities in Indiana.
• Having a live event, Know who your multi-lingual workers are and have ASL interpreters in key areas:
  • Front Gate
  • Information Booth
  • Bar
  • STAGE!
    • Ask performers prior to show for lyric sheets for interpreters
    • Give copy of hosting notes.

Benefits of Multi-Lingual societies

• Marc Ettlinger, Ph.D. in linguistics,
  • “…language may influence implicit cultural attitudes toward a gender, race, or other named entity. Language can also affect how stories are reported and may even influence the art of a society.”
  • “…a broader vocabulary can allow you to think faster, which there is ample evidence for.”
• A Forbes study found that a diverse and inclusive workplace is a major driver of innovation and growth.
• A study from VicHealth provides evidence that cultural diversity can enhance business performance and productivity, increase creative thinking, save time and money, reduce risk and promote staff health and wellbeing