Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Southpoint Sun - 19
Video translation implemented
Local organizations addressing language barriers through We Speak
Leamington’s Corey Robertson, left, Manager of Community Partnerships, Security ONE, meets with Alexander Reid, Executive Director for WE Trans Support Alliance.
Security ONE reaches out to provide video surveillance system for WE Trans Support
REGIONAL - In the last week, WE Trans Support has been vandalized on at least three separate occasions, in what has been described as hate crimes. Local security provider Security ONE Alarms, has stepped up with the donation of a Smart Video surveillance system. WE Trans Support Executive Director, Alexander Reid, says the attacks started as graffiti but have escalated. “A rusted wheel rotor from a vehicle was thrown through the front window, shattering the glass, damaging our new floors,” he said. The organization has launched a Go Fund Me page to help with the repair costs. Responding to this plea to the community, Security ONE Alarms has stepped up with the donation of a Smart Video surveillance system to help deter future crimes. “Security ONE stands with our partners at WE Trans Support in calling for solidarity against hatred,” said Corey Robertson, Manager of Community Partnerships at Security ONE. “Help-
ing to protect people and organization’s property is what we do.” Robertson went on to say that WE Trans would be receiving the latest in Video Surveillance technology. “We’re installing Smart Video surveillance cameras with a streaming video recorder that will allow for very powerful analytics of the footage that can be accessed from anywhere,” he said. “And with our 5 Diamond Award winning Central Monitoring Station, they’ll have an extra set of eyes on the property 24 hours a day.” For Derek Roberts, President of WE Trans Support, this type of support came as a surprise. “Words cannot express our gratitude to Security ONE for helping out in our time of need,” he said. “When I got the call from Corey asking how they could help, I was just blown away.” Robertson says giving back to the community is part of Security ONE’s DNA. “We’re grateful to Windsor and Essex County for 43 years of business,” he said. “We owe our success to our customers and our community partners.”
REGIONAL — Health equity is a core value in Ontario’s health care system, as it is recognized that people belonging to certain groups may experience disparities in their health status, access to services and the quality of care they receive. Contributing to this issue are language barriers that can have a major impact on health care provision, with research indicating that patients with limited English proficiency may be excluded from or experience delays or denials in receiving health care services. In response to this, local organizational partners have come together to develop We Speak, giving providers the ability to gain access to scheduled or on demand professional interpreting services in-person, by phone or video. As part of developing this initiative, partners formed a temporary task group focused on effectively addressing language barriers for clients. Task group members include: The University of Windsor Faculty of Nursing; The Multicultural Council of Windsor
and Essex County; Windsor-Essex County Health Unit; Windsor Family Health Team; Windsor Essex Community Health Centre; the Erie St. Clair and South West LHINs and the Windsor Essex Local Immigration Partnership (WE LIP). “As a healthcare service, it is critical that individuals have information that is easy to understand and accessible. The ability to provide our services in the language most comfortable for our clients is critical to this goal,” said Nicole Dupuis, Director, Health Promotion, Windsor-Essex County Health Unit. “The We Speak video and on-demand interpretation options have allowed us to meet our clients’ needs when, and how they need them, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.” Provision of direct services in the language of the patient remains the preferred option. However, when this is not possible, using professional interpretation services is the next best, most effective solution to ensure quality communication and patient safety. While in-person options are
available, the service also leverages other technologies, tools and best practice approaches to reduce language barriers. “During complex times, We Speak has provided our service the ability to effectively communicate with clients where English was not their first language,” adds Stacey Shepley, Captain, Professional Standards, Essex-Windsor EMS. “In the past, language barriers created a large challenge during health assessments and hindered our ability to appropriately meet clients’ needs in a timely manner. The translators are professional, easy to understand, patient and very supportive.” Providers can register and access the service by dialing 1-866-4-WESPEAK (1-866-493-7732) or visiting wespeak.ca. Services for health service providers are part of a group purchase plan, allowing them to be accessed at a highly discounted rate based on group usage. Registrants also only pay for the services used.
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