Communication channels open with 'I need an interpreter' card
Wednesday, 14 May 2008
Communication between non-English speaking people and service delivery agencies was made easier with the launch of the ‘I need an interpreter' card today, the Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services, Laurie Ferguson, said.
Speaking to a group of 30 emerging community leaders at Parliament House, Mr Ferguson explained how non-English speakers could simply show the card to request an interpreter.
The visitors, meeting Mr Ferguson as part of a community relations project to learn more about Australian democracy and parliamentary process, were impressed with the idea and thought the card was a valuable tool, particularly to newly arrived migrants.
‘Interpreters are critical to the ability of non-English speakers to access services and participate in the Australian community,' Mr Ferguson said.
‘This wallet-sized card, which features the national interpreter symbol and a space for the holder's preferred language, is designed to assist non-English speakers to request an interpreter when they need to communicate with government agencies, community groups and businesses.
‘All they have to do is show the “I need an interpreter” card. This is a simple but effective idea to facilitate communication and alleviate frustration for both parties.'
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), through the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National), is responsible for the initiative. DIAC will circulate the new cards to Adult Migrant English Program centres, Settlement Grants Program providers, Integrated Humanitarian Settlement Strategy providers and local government agencies for distribution to their non-English speaking clients at a community level.
TIS National has provided more than 500 000 telephone interpreting tasks so far this financial year to assist with communication between English speaking and non-English speaking members of the Australian community.
TIS National is accessible from anywhere in Australia and is available to any person or organisation requiring interpreting services. Telephone interpreting is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It has access to more than 1300 contracted interpreters across Australia and can provide a telephone interpreter in more than 130 languages and dialects.
Recruiting interpreters in new and emerging languages is a particular focus of TIS National's recruitment strategies. So far in 2007-08, 124 interpreters in these languages have been recruited including in languages of African humanitarian entrants.
Media contact: Khaldoun Hajaj 02 6277 4920 or 0404 078 692
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/parlsec/media/media-releases/2008/lf08036.htm
Last update: 13 August 2008 at 17:14 AEST