World Speaks, October 2025: Making the Vision of Language Access a Reality
Published about 2 months ago • 4 min read
Hi Reader,
Earlier this summer, we worked with the Health Center Association of Nebraska to help them make sure that community health center teams have the training they need to give patients the highest quality of care, no matter what language they speak.
World Speaks worked with HCAN to create a 15-minute training video for health center works that covers the do’s and don’ts of working with medical interpreters so that employees can work seamlessly with interpreters in patient care.
We are so proud of this training video! You can watch it here:
Does your organization want to train your teams in language access? Whether it’s a video like the one above, a training session, or helping you figure out what you need, the World Speaks team is here to help! Email us at info@worldspeaksoma.org to get started.
Emergency Communication Requires Language Access
Language access isn’t just important in everyday communication — in an emergency, it’s vital.
Recently, the administration passed a rule ending SNAP benefits for refugees and people without green cards. SNAP helps feed millions of people nationwide, and this change has an immediate impact in communities across Nebraska.
The team at Restoring Dignity jumped in to help, translating food resource information into multiple languages - Spanish, Arabic, Karen, Burmese, Kirundi, Nepali and more - and updating their website (which is already available in 12 languages) with details on food pantries. You can find this website here: LINK.
Their quick response shows that they already have a tight language access plan in place, but it is also a reminder that considering what language(s) we communicate and disperse information in is critical - it needs to be part of every organization's emergency plan.
Language Access Learning
Is your organization planning an event? Make language access part of your process - not an afterthought! Here's 5 quick tips from Ivan B. Lopez - the World Speaks Interpretation and Linguistic Strategist!
1️⃣ Get started early: Reach out 4–6 weeks in advance (but make that 2 months for ASL interpreters).
2️⃣ Let attendees know: Tell attendees interpreters are available and make sure you promote that in the languages that will be available.
3️⃣ Include the interpreters in planning: Share materials and logistics with interpreters before event day.
4️⃣ Communicate clearly during the event: Use clear signage for attendees who need to pick & return their interpreting.
5️⃣ Keep language access going after the event: Make sure to translate surveys and post-event materials.
These small details make big changes in welcoming everyone at your events!
We Say “Thank You So Much” to Two Incredible Team Members
In September the World Speaks team bid Cruz goodbye as she went on to pursue another opportunity. We will miss her terribly but thank her for contributions to our team. She didn’t leave without making a huge impact - just before leaving, she helped the team get a bid for the buildout of our Monday.com system. With the help of the Sherwood Foundation, that project is underway and will allow us to do even more incredible work. Thank you so much Cruz! While you may see Cruz doing some interpretation work moving forward, for any request involving interpretation, translation, or Open Doors needs please connect with Ivan our Interpretation and Linguistic Strategist (ivan@worldspeaksoma.org).
We also want to say thank you to Naomi Hattaway, who stepped in as our Interim Executive Director during Leah’s parental leave! We are so thankful to her for her time, expertise and guidance while we waited for Leah’s return! Paulina Campos Guzman, our Programs Manager, says "Having a familiar face and longtime ally of World Speaks supporting our team during this transition helped us feel at ease. Naomi’s warm approach and strong community connections guided us through the process and ensured we successfully completed all our tasks and projects. We truly enjoyed every interaction, she was an invaluable part of our team.” Thank you Naomi!
Language Access in Action
Do you speak more than one language and are you ready to put your bilingual skills to work for your community?
Join us for our Foundations of Community Interpreting course! It's designed just for multilingual individuals like you who want to take action, bridge language gaps and promote equity and understanding.
📚 Total Instruction: 25 hours
📅 Dates: Nov. 10–13, 2025 (8 AM – 2 PM daily)
📍 Location: World Speaks Office (900 S 74th Plaza Omaha, NE 68114, Office 106)
💵 Cost: Free (just $15 for materials)
🎓 Certificate of completion provided
Join us and explore interpretation techniques, professional ethics, and the framework of language justice. You'll be taking your first step toward a meaningful career as a community interpreter! Click here for more information: LINK.
Open Doors now taking community requests!
Open Doors is opening doors! We are excited to offer free interpretation and translation services for all housing-related needs!
If you or someone you know needs interpretation or translation related to your housing needs, visit our Open Doors Request Page: LINK. Fill out the form, and a team member will be in touch with you to help you out!
World Speaks Team Powers Up
The World Speaks team spread the word about Language Access at the Omaha Chamber’s POWER Conference!
We appreciated sharing about language access to changemakers in the greater Omaha area!
GET INVOLVED
Want to join World Speaks in our work? There are three ways you can do so!
Volunteer! We are always looking for native speakers interested in being in-class mentors. We’d love to have you join us this summer!
Donate – Every donation – large or small – improves language access in our community.
Visit our store for shirts featuring our Stay Cultured Wear!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Interpreters Training - November 10th-13th, 2025
Giving Tuesday – December 2, 2025
World Speaks Winter Rest Closure - December 22nd,2025 - January 2, 2026
Hi Reader, There is a shortage of interpreters in our area – and many multilingual individuals are already doing casual interpretation for family members and friends – and World Speaks aims to bridge that gap. That’s why last week, we held our first Foundations of Community Interpreting Course. 4 individuals gathered at our Omaha offices to start their journey to bridge language gaps by learning interpretation skills. It was a packed four days with 25 hours of total instruction! This...
Hi Reader, Earlier this month, the World Speaks team had a great time at the NATI (Nebraska Association of Translators and Interpreters) Conference. Spending time with a group of professionals devoted to providing language access to those who need it was an incredible experience. Our team presented about the work of World Speaks – sharing our mission to advance language access and cultural inclusion through professional, community-centered services. It was a joy to talk to interpreters and...
Hi Reader, As World Speaks continues to evolve our newsletter, we want to know what you want to hear about! We’ve assembled two questions to help us learn a bit more about you, and what you want to know about language access. Answering these questions will help us show you how to expand language access in our community! Pick a sentence that best describes you. I work for a for-profit business. I work for a non-profit or religious organization. I work for a civic organization, government, or...
