THE LANGUAGE BANC ANNOUNCES LOCALLY-BASED VIDEO INTERPRETING TO PROVIDE WORK TO DEVASTATED LOCAL WORKERS WHILE PROVIDING CAREGIVERS WITH A MUCH-NEEDED SERVICE AS THEY RESPOND TO THE COVID-19 CRISIS

Minneapolis, MN, March 19, 2020– Almost overnight thousands of dedicated language interpreters in Minnesota lost their livelihoods as clinics and hospitals cancelled discretionary appointments and restricted care teams in response to the Covid-19 emergency and a shortage of protective equipment. These interpreters, most of whom are contractors and have no social safety net, are among the workers hardest hit by this crisis. At the same time, their skills are in more demand than ever, just in new forms – video and telephonic interpreting as opposed to in-person visits.

In response, The Language Banc, long a leader in face-to-face interpreting, has launched a new integrated video/phone interpreting solution employing local interpreters, both to save our local interpreters from financial catastrophe and to provide regional healthcare systems with highly-qualified, locally-based interpreters in this time of need.

“My heart goes out to all the hardworking interpreters sidelined by this crisis just when their skills are most needed, and now suffering financial calamity,” said The Language Banc CEO Siyad Abdullahi.  “At the same time, I am honored and proud to be in a position to launch this new initiative that both provides a vitally needed service to healthcare providers at this time of greatest need, a better service than they are currently receiving, while at the same time extending a lifeline to local interpreters with well-paid work that can be done from home.”

Currently, almost all area health systems obtain video interpreting services from national and international companies utilizing interpreters dispersed throughout the world while at the same time an incredibly valuable resource sits idled and suffering close to home. The Language Banc’s service, unlike the national/international providers, employs local interpreters, with the result that patients and providers will be serviced by interpreters they already know and who know the area. This will also minimize disruption for caregivers and patients during a difficult time. Unlike the interpreters of national providers, these interpreters have already all met stringent compliance requirements and are all 40-hour trained.

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The Language Banc has been providing the highest quality language services in the Twin Cities and nationwide since 2006. To sign up for this new service, please contact us or visit our web site at www.thelanguagebanc.com. Set up is quick and easy and takes only a matter of minutes.

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If you would like more information or to set up the service, please contact Leigh Stambler at The Language Banc at 612-330-9954, leigh@thelanguagebanc.com.