LANGUAGE ACCESS RESOURCE CENTER (LARC)
What is LARC?
Founded in 2005, LARC offers an array of services including interpretation, translation, interpreter training and consultation with health and human services organizations to identify the most cost-effective and efficient ways to meet the needs of the area’s fast-growing immigrant population. The Language Access Resource Center was developed out of the interest expressed by health and human services organizations in finding a cost-effective way to meet the needs of their limited English proficient clients.
Languages Available
LARC is currently able to provide interpreters for the languages listed below. If languages other than the ones listed are needed, LARC makes every effort to find qualified interpreters and/or translators.
The list of languages is continually expanding, with particular focus on recruiting interpreters who speak the languages of the area's refugee populations.
Interpreters are assessed, trained, and certified by LARC, but they provide services as independent contractors for LARC.
Albanian
Arabic
American Sign Language
Assyrian
Bantu
Bosnian
Bulgarian
Burmese
Cantonese
Chinese
Croatian
Dari
Farsi/Persian
French
Greek
Gujarati
Hindi
Hungarian
Italian
Kinyarwanda
Korean
Kurundi
Lithuanian
Mandarin
Nepali
Persian
Polish
Punjabi
Romanian
Russian
Serbian
Somali
Spanish
Sudanese
Swahili
Tajik
Taiwanese
Toishanese
Ukrainian
Urdu
Uzbek
Vietnamese
Our list of languages is continuously expanding. Please contact LARC to request an Interpreter for a language not listed above.
Fluency
(630) 782-7544
Why LARC?
LARC interpreters are distinguished from graduates of some other training programs by the amount of training they receive from LARC's Interpreter Training classes.
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The number of training hours is substantially higher than typical accepted standards, and we certify that our interpreters have successfully completed this training.
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LARC only utilizes interpreters that provide an annual Tuberculosis screening, 8-Panel Drug Screening and pass a State of Illinois criminal background check.
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We provide quarterly professional development meetings to further advance an interpreter's knowledge of medical, educational, legal and human services.
Since 2005, LARC has been an active member of the National Council of Interpretation in Health Care (NCIHC) and The International Medical Interpreters Association (IMIA). LARC is also a member of Midwest Association of Translators and Interpreters (MATI) as well as the American Translators Association (ATA).
Interpreter Requests
To make requests for on-site foreign language interpreters placed during business hours Monday - Friday 8:30AM – 4:30PM:
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Online scheduling system
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Email: LARC@dupagefederation.org
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Phone: (630) 782-7544
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Fax: (630) 748-4794
interpreter
training
The LARC Interpreter Training Program consists of 100 hours of formal training, including a 40-hour supervised externship.
Topics include:
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Interpreter ethics and techniques
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Importance of culture and its impact on interpreting
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Basic medical terminology
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Facilitating and enhancing communication between service providers and Limited English Proficient service recipients
All LARC interpreters receive a formal assessment of language proficiency in English and the interpreter's target language.
provider
training
The key to successful implementation of an interpreter program in any organization is for the organization’s staff to be trained on how, when, and why it is important to recognize when an interpreter may be needed for a patient or client.
LARC provides workshops that train staff members how to achieve this goal.
personnel
training
Many organizations use a combination of contract, telephonic, and staff interpreters to meet the needs of their Limited English Proficient clients. It is not unusual for providers to ask bilingual staff to serve as 'ad hoc' interpreters. We recommend that those staff members attend interpreter workshops.
We also recommend that the organization develops formal guidelines around the use of 'dual task interpreters'. We can provide workshops and consultation for management on development of such policies.
LARC is able customize interpreter training for specific organizational needs.
bilingual staff assessments
LARC provides structured, over-the-phone assessments to assess the bilingual language proficiency of provider organizations’ staff. The individuals are assessed on the following areas:
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Oral fluency in English and the target language
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Listening comprehension in English and in the target language
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Vocabulary
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Grammar
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Clarity and flow of speech
Contact LARC to schedule an oral proficiency assessment.