2025 NAC Pre-conference Workshop- Enhancing Public Engagement through Language Access

This workshop will highlight the importance of integrating language access into public engagement efforts to support broad and meaningful participation. Ensuring that individuals who speak languages other than English can fully engage in decision-making processes requires thoughtful planning and a commitment to clear communication.

Participants will be provided with practical examples from the cities of Austin and San Antonio, showcasing how language access programs use interpretation, translation,multilingual outreach, and inclusive meeting design to remove barriers and enhance engagement.

During this workshop, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will highlight its focus on effective communication with Hispanic and Latino Limited English Proficiency populations through research-based translation guidance and culturally relevant outreach strategies with Spanish-speaking audiences.

The Language Access division of Austin Communications and Engagement will present on efforts to address cultural nuances and partnerships with community organizations, utilizingmultilingual resources identified as key to building trust and enhancing engagement withAustin's Tier 1 languages: Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Arabic, French, Burmese, and Chinese.

The City of San Antonio's Language Access Office will share models for multilingual meetings. Each model is related to IAP2 public participation practices and will highlight ways the meeting style will advance engagement goals and create a welcoming multilingual space

The workshop will include interactive, scenario-based group activities where participants plan inclusive meetings, identify language barriers, and develop strategies for inclusion. Attendees will receive handouts, planning tools, and checklists to apply language access practices in their own work, supported by peer exchange and Q&A.Additionally, the Austin Language Access team will demonstrate the simultaneous interpretation equipment offered at in-person public meetings.

Pre-conference workshop registration is required. Attendees can register until space is full. Limit 25 participants.

Date and Time: 

September 28, 2025, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Central

Grand Hyatt - 600 East Market St., San Antonio, TX 78205 

Cost: 

Free with conference registration, but workshop registration is required. Attendees can register until space is full. Limit 25 participants. 

Note: registrants must be attendees of the 2025 North American Conference. Visit the conference website for more information