Product Description

Massachusetts is home to many people and communities who make up the richness and diversity of a multilingual population spanning many cultures. We are the tenth most linguistically diverse state in the country, and 20% of Massachusetts’ total population is deaf or hard of hearing. Just two years ago, 1 in 10 Massachusetts residents spoke a primary language other than English. That number has risen to 1 in 4 residents—above the national average of 21.6%. Legislatures in linguistically diverse states have passed state language access statutes to ensure all residents’ needs are met, regardless of the language they speak. Our state currently has the unique opportunity to make all voices heard and create a culture of language inclusivity for all those who are better served in a language other than English.

Clear and accurate communication is critical for our collective community to not only survive, but thrive. The stability, growth, and success of our state rests on all of us to welcome and embrace the diversity of languages and cultures in Massachusetts. It is imperative we provide access by removing barriers for those who communicate in a language other than English. Most importantly, we must ensure all residents of our Commonwealth feel a sense of belonging and inclusion to freely express themselves linguistically and culturally. 

Join this program to hear seasoned panelists talk about how to reach beyond language access toward language inclusivity.

Agenda & Materials

• 9:00 am - 9:02 am

  Welcome and Introduction

  Iris E. Coloma-Gaines, Esq., MLRI , Boston
  
• 9:02 am - 9:35 am

  Keynote Address: Towards a Just, Inclusive & Language-Barrier Free Massachusetts

  Dr. Opeoluwa Sotonwa, Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing , Springfield
  
• 9:35 am - 9:40 am

  Break
• 9:40 am - 10:10 am

  Basics of Language Access Law

  Iris E. Coloma-Gaines, Esq., MLRI , Boston
  
• 10:10 am - 10:15 am

  Break
• 10:15 am - 11:10 am

  Rights of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

  Caitlin Parton, Esq., Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing , Boston
  
• 11:10 am - 11:15 am

  Break
• 11:15 am - 12:00 pm

  Transcreation: A Tool for Language and Cultural Inclusivity

  Marlen Guerrero, Impact Charitable , Denver
  
• 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

  Lunch
• 1:00 pm - 1:55 pm

  Workshop (Choose One):
• Best Practices for Assessing English Learners in Education

  Dr. Ivonne Borrero, Boston Public Schools Behavioral Health Services , Boston
  
• Best Practices for Working with Interpreters

  Iris E. Coloma-Gaines, Esq., MLRI , Boston
  Jessica Maria DeLoureiro, Esq., Justice Center of Southeast Massachusetts LLC , Brockton
  
• 1:55 pm - 2:05 pm

  Break
• 2:05 pm - 2:55 pm

  Advancing Language Rights for Indigenous Migrant Communities: the Case of the Maya Diaspora

  Ernesto Ajanel, International Mayan League , Washington, DC
  Claribel Hernandez, International Mayan League , Washington, DC
  Sebastiana Reymundo, International Mayan League , Washington, DC
  
• 2:55 pm - 3:00 pm

  Break
• 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm

  Language Access Legislative Update

  Virginia Benzan, Esq., MLRI , Boston
  Iris E. Coloma-Gaines, Esq., MLRI , Boston
  Diana I. Santiago, Esq., Massachusetts Advocates for Children , Boston
  

Please Note

MCLE webcasts are delivered completely online, underscoring their convenience and appeal. There are no published print materials. All written materials are available electronically only. They are posted 24 hours prior to the program and can be accessed, downloaded, or printed from your computer.

Chair

Faculty