The latest in language access

We hit the ground running this February. Exciting announcements for our interpreting department see us supporting more non- and limited-English-speaking users participating in health and legal engagements.??

In this month’s edition:?

• Expanding interpreter services to the Federal Court of Australia
• New: Improved access to in-language services for Queensland Government?
• Webinar: Join us on March 26 in an exclusive webinar for health services
• Auslan interpreting for greater inclusivity??

Expanding interpreter services to the Federal Court of Australia

Last month, the Federal Court of Australia appointed 2M Language Services to its Interpreting Panel. We aim to support court hearings through face-to-face and secure video and telephone access to NAATI-certified Legal Interpreters.??

Our team recently visited the Federal Court in Victoria and Queensland. We toured federal and family courts and spoke in depth with staff around improving access to certified interpreters face to face and remotely.??

We are looking forward to expanding access to interpreters for the Federal Court, which will involve ramped up interpreter training to address court requests and training for court booking officers.?

QLD Magistrates Court: Dzongkha Interpreter

Kudos to our interpreting coordinators, who were praised by the Brisbane Magistrates Court for their excellent customer service:

You are always quick to answer and to help even with last minute requests. 2M is my go-to agency and I am so appreciative of the work you do!

This was the result after servicing an urgent request for a Dzongkha interpreter. The team’s prompt action enabled the session to go ahead as scheduled, saving the Court from costly delays.??

New: Improved access to CALD languages for Queensland Government?

2M is officially on the Queensland Government whole-of-government panel for CALD and First Nations languages.??

The panel brings the opportunity for government agencies, including healthcare organisations, to have greater and more flexible access to in-language support.???

Under the new SOA, 2M has expanded its offering to include on-demand video interpreting across migrant languages and Auslan.?

?? Webinar: Optimising Interpreter Services in Healthcare: Insights from Industry Experts

Join us on Tuesday, 26 March, at 4:00pm AEST in this webinar with NAATI and health services.

You'll hear about:

• The role of interpreters in healthcare settings.?
• Challenges interpreter booking officers face.??
• How health services and language services can collaborate to achieve greater service efficiency & satisfaction.?
• How to conveniently book interpreters for onsite appointments, via video and telephone (scheduled and on demand).?
• Working effectively with interpreters via video and telephone.??

?? Register here.

Auslan interpreting

Auslan (Australian Sign Language) is a visual-spatial language that uses hand gestures, facial expressions, and body language to convey meaning. As of the 2021 Census, there were over 16,000 Deaf Auslan users in Australia.??

Since JobAccess announced increased funding for Auslan interpreting, more Auslan users have been able to access interpreting services at work. Such initiatives are important for supporting Deaf people in accessing the communication services they need to obtain employment, maintain employment, and progress their careers.??

We are proud to work with Australia’s Sign Language Interpreters’ Association (ASLIA), NAATI and Convo AU to provide Auslan interpreters face to face or via video. In the event of an emergency, Auslan users can also access an interpreter on demand.??

Now on the Queensland Government interpreter panel for on-demand video interpreting for Auslan, we are working to raise awareness of Auslan across Australia and service an increasing need in healthcare and other sectors for timely access to Auslan interpreters.??

Interpreter resources

The National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA) is hosting two in-person professional development sessions for interpreters on Saturday, 16 March:??

• Understanding the NDIS and Working Effectively with People from CALD Backgrounds with Disability - Brisbane. Register here.?
• Understanding the NDIS and Working Effectively with People from CALD backgrounds with Disability - Logan. Register here.?

Upcoming events

• International Women’s Day Fun Run, Mater Foundation / Queensland X-ray, Brisbane, 10 March.
• Preventative Mental Health Symposium, Public Health Association, Melbourne, 12 March.??
• Optimising Interpreter Services in Healthcare: Insights from Industry Experts, online webinar, 26?March.

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