Event Type : CCASA Event

Description:

This four-part webinar series, hosted by the Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence and the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault, delves into the critical importance of language access in supporting survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Designed to empower service providers, advocates, and interpreters, the series explores the intersection of language, culture, and identity and outlines practical strategies for improving communication and services for diverse survivor populations. Participants will gain insights into the essential roles of interpreters, the specific needs of Deaf and hard-of-hearing survivors, and the strategic importance of comprehensive language access planning.

Objectives:   

• Participants will identify and describe the fundamental concepts of language, culture, and identity and explain their impact on the accessibility and effectiveness of services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
• Participants will apply ethical considerations to scenarios involving interpreters working with survivors and analyze case studies to determine best practices and potential challenges in this context.
• Participants will summarize the specific communication needs and barriers that Deaf and hard-of-hearing survivors face and demonstrate techniques to enhance service accessibility using appropriate communication tools and strategies.
• Participants will evaluate existing language access policies and practices within their organizations to identify improvement areas and develop a strategic plan incorporating best practices and tailored solutions to enhance language access for diverse survivor groups.

REGISTER FOR ONE OR ALL OF THE SESSIONS

SESSION 1

Language, Culture, Identity, and Language Access: Exploring the Intersections

This session will focus on the relationship between language, culture, and identity. Participants will explore how cultural factors impact language access and discuss strategies for providing culturally responsive language access services. Participants will gain insights into the intersectionality of language and cultural identity, enabling them to support diverse populations better.

Objectives:

• Participants will explore the relationship between language, culture, identity, and language access.
• Participants will recognize how cultural factors impact language access and the provision of culturally responsive services.
• Participants will develop strategies to effectively support diverse populations based on understanding the intersectionality of language and cultural identity.

Presenter:

Jose Juan Lara Jr., MS, Systems and Advocacy Senior Program Manager, Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence – is a national trainer and advocate with 25 years in the anti-gender-based violence movement with expertise in cultural competence and responsiveness, dynamics of gender-based violence, language access, organizational development, and victim advocacy. Jose Juan has presented on these issues, engaging a broad spectrum of multidisciplinary professionals from criminal justice, social services, policy, and health. Cultural responsiveness and language access are fundamental principles in Jose Juan’s advocacy, firmly believing that recognizing and valuing cultural identity is crucial in creating safe and inclusive spaces for survivors.

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SESSION 2:

Understanding the Vital Role of Interpreters in Language Access for Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence

This session explores the roles, responsibilities, and ethical requirements of interpreters in providing language access to victims of domestic and sexual violence. Through interactive discussions, real-life scenarios, and ethical dilemmas, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the crucial role interpreters play in promoting justice, supporting survivors, and upholding professional ethics in sensitive and challenging situations.

Objectives: 

• Participants will explore the interpreter’s role as a neutral party, ensuring accurate and impartial communication between survivors, service providers, and legal professionals.
• Participants will examine the ethical challenges interpreters face when working with survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

Presenter: Tomiko Tamashiro Prado, Healing Across Language Senior Project Coordinator, Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence. They are, first and foremost an, interpreter, leveraging years of direct service experience to now steer the API-GBV Healing Across Languages Training Center. Their efforts focus on fostering a cultural shift that centers survivor voices, emphasizing proper interpretation practices. In their role, Tomiko manages training programs to grow the pool of victim services interpreters and guides service providers in effective collaboration with them.

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SESSION 3:

Enhancing Access for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Survivors of Domestic and Sexual Violence – A Conversation

This session will be a facilitated discussion focusing on addressing the issues faced by deaf survivors of domestic and sexual violence, focusing on the barriers that prevent them from seeking services and accessing support. By adopting a culturally responsive and trauma-informed approach, this session will explore the concept of audism, delve into why deaf survivors often do not seek assistance, present relevant statistics, and provide practical strategies for organizations to enhance access and support for this marginalized community.

• Participants will increase awareness and understanding about audism, a form of discrimination against deaf individuals, and its impact on the experiences of deaf survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
• Participants will examine why deaf survivors often hesitate to seek services, such as communication challenges, lack of accessible resources, and cultural factors.
• Participants will learn practical recommendations and best practices for enhancing access to support services for deaf survivors.

Panel Moderator:

Jose Juan Lara Jr., MS, Systems and Advocacy Senior Program Manager, Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence

Panelists:

Sabrina Roult, Deaf Overcoming Violence through Empowerment (DOVE) (she/they) has 13 years of experience working in the Social Services field as a case manager, advocate, and forensic social worker for the Deaf, Deaf Blind, Deaf Disabled, and Hard of Hearing (DDBDDHH) community. One of the most valuable things she has carried with her is being mindful of variations in perspectives. As an advocate, respecting various perspectives allows Sabrina to wholeheartedly provide support that considers other service providers’ perspectives and the perspectives of DDBDDHH individuals. After graduating with a master’s degree in social work from the University of Denver and obtaining her Animal-Assisted Therapy Certification, she feels blessed to be a part of an organization with an amazing mission and vision. She is very fortunate to work with a great team. On the days Sabrina is not working, you can find her on the open road. She loves taking road trips and exploring untouched parts of the country. Otherwise, Sabrina is often gardening, crafting, or hiking with her furry friends.

Liam Esposito, Project Director of Deaf-Led Advocacy at Activating Change, is a white, deaf, autistic trans man who oversees grants for Deaf Action Training and Technical Assistance and National Deaf Survivor Services. He is also an adjunct Senior Lecturer at Gallaudet University. Before working at Activating Change, he held similar roles at the Vera Institute of Justice and Rochester Institute of Technology and served as the Executive Director of Deaf IGNITE – a deaf anti-violence program in Rochester, NY.

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SESSION 4:

The Importance of Language Access Planning

This presentation delves into the imperative of language access planning within organizations serving diverse communities, particularly in contexts of domestic violence and sexual assault support. As demographic shifts continue to diversify linguistic needs, it becomes crucial for service providers to develop robust language access plans that ensure all individuals can receive help regardless of language barriers. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of the legal requirements, strategic planning processes, and practical tools for implementing effective language access services. Through case studies and expert insights, participants will thoroughly understand how strategic language access planning can enhance service delivery and foster equity in access to crucial support services.

Objectives:

• To educate participants on the federal and state legal requirements for language access, emphasizing the ethical implications of providing equitable services to all clients, including those with limited English proficiency.
• To guide attendees in the essential components of a comprehensive language access plan, including needs assessment, resource allocation, staff training, and monitoring and evaluation strategies, ensuring that plans are effective and sustainable.
• To equip participants with practical tools, resources, and best practices for implementing and improving language access services in their organizations, enabling them to respond adeptly to the linguistic diversity of their communities.

Presenter: Jose Juan Lara Jr., MS, Systems and Advocacy Senior Program Manager, Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence

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This training was supported by Grant No. 2020-WF-AX-0043, 15JOVW-21-GG-00555-STOP, and 15JOVW-22-GG-00412-STOP awarded by the state administering office for the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice’s STOP Formula Grant Program. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this training are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the state or the U.S. Department of Justice.