Where
This is an online event.The Language Access Forum Series: Expanding possibilities in the developmental disabilities service system
This series is collaboratively funded by the following entities: Kittitas County, Snohomish County, Benton-Franklin County, Whatcom County, Pierce County, Kitsap County, Lewis County, Jefferson County and Washington State DVR
Join us for an initial planning session to kick-off a new five-part virtual series of conversations about language accessibility in IDD services.
This initial planning session will provide an opportunity for us to come together as a community to identify the areas of need and to prioritize which topics we will focus on at the following sessions. Even if you cannot commit to attending future sessions, please join us for this first conversation to provide your insights and help us strategize.
Please come prepared to share your needs, ideas, and questions!
This session is open to anyone in the IDD community invested in expanding language accessibility. We encourage professionals working in the IDD community to attend who have the goal of providing better supports to people who use forms of communication other than spoken English.
People who utilize language services are highly encouraged to attend and share their needs and expertise. Please let us know on the next page if you will require interpretation or any other accommodations to fully participate.
We as a group will come away from this first session with:
- A better understanding of the language access needs in our community
- Increased knowledge of what resources and tools are available
- A network of other stakeholders invested in expanding language accessibility in IDD services
Save the Date!
Future sessions will be held on the following Wednesdays from 3:30 - 5:00pm PST:
- February 23rd
- March 16th
- April 20th
- May 18th
- June 15th
- Born in Tucson, AZ to a single Latina mom with polio, who raised us, 5 children, by herself
- Identify as Latino /Chicano who has experienced ADHD from 4th grade to present
- Two of my elder siblings have been diagnosed with Schizophrenia and Bipolar disorders
- Served in the US Army with a 14-month tour in Seoul, South Korea.
- Worked for Intuit, Inc for 6 years in software consulting as their Developmental Supervisor. In addition, I was a special project facilitator for their Latino Employee Network & QuickBooks Latino Customer Base
- Worked in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico for 5 years helping local communities, while learning more about my culture and the Latino mindset
- Served on multiple state and county boards, representing the voice of Latinos in healthcare, legal, education, housing, substance abuse, and various other public sectors
- Helped these various sectors to incorporate linguistic and cultural supports; according to the expressed needs and ideas of BIPOC communities
- Developed and delivered Family Leadership Advocacy Training for and by Multicultural Families
- Cohort #1 had 18 parent graduates representing 8 different languages & 8 different cultures
- Cohort #2 had 8 parents representing 4 different languages and cultures
- Leading legislative efforts for Language Access in K-12 Schools (HB1153, Budget Proviso and now SHB1153)
- Secured Rep. Tina Orwall as our multi-year efforts champion for this legislation
- Ensuring parents voices are centered and involved throughout the process
- One of 4 Steering Committee Members for the Language Access Working Group (OSPI, PESB, OEO)
- Co-Chair of Washington State Coalition on Language Access (WASCLA)
- Recent facilitated meetings:
- Washington Developmental Disability Council (DDC) Northstar Initiative- Omnibus bill (with over 100 community collaborators)
- WA State Needs Project Workgroup
- WASCLA’s Annual Strategic Planning Meeting
- Annual Strategic Planning with The Association on Successful Parenting (TASP)