Empowering bilingual women with medical interpreter training
Reducing linguistic disparities in health care
Keley Souza understands the frustration of not being able to communicate.
When she moved to Massachusetts from Brazil, she said she knew just one English phrase: "I don’t speak English."
Nearly 45%1 of Bostonians over the age of 5 share this struggle, saying they don’t speak English very well. Communication barriers are particularly challenging in health care. About 97%2 of physicians encounter patients who struggle with English, leading to:
- Fewer doctor visits and less preventive care
- Poor treatment plan compliance
- Difficulty understanding diagnoses
- Increased medical complications
Over time, Keley's English improved, but she still found it difficult to secure meaningful employment.
Roughly one-third3 of immigrant adults in the United States who report limited English proficiency say they have had difficulties receiving health care services or maintaining meaningful employment.
Boston's Found in Translation addresses these issues by empowering low-income, bilingual women to use their language skills to achieve economic security and in the meantime, improve access to health care translation. UnitedHealthcare provided a $150,000 grant to keep this program free for qualified participants.
The Language Access Fellowship helps participants earn a Medical Interpreter Certificate through a four-month training program, including 140+ hours of coursework and professional development.
Keley, a 2023 graduate of the program, said she wouldn't have been able to participate if it hadn't been free.
"I didn’t expect to come out so well-trained," she said. "I was amazed. I apply everything I've learned, and Found in Translation has made my life better."
Program Director Karen Walker said they really focus on creating opportunities while removing barriers and leveling the playing field for these women.
"We provide all the materials, like books and everything else, that women need to participate in the program," Karen said. "We also offer extensive support services, helping them access child care, transportation and even professional resume assistance. This ensures that once they complete the program, they're ready to start job searching immediately."
To date, more than 350 women have completed the program, with training in over 35 languages. The average wage for graduates is $25 per hour, after one year. According to Found in Translation, graduates serve more than 60,000 limited English speakers each year, through their work as interpreters.
"They work very hard," Karen said. "They are out there doing amazing work and helping the community."
Many previous graduates have even become language coaches and lead instructors for current participants.
"As a faculty member, for me it’s about giving back," said Marie Joseph, a 2015 graduate and Haitian Creole interpreter. "It’s giving back to my community because that is what Found in Translation is. It’s not just a program for me, but my community, and it’s a family, my family."
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