Accessibility & Inclusion

Foreign language speaking ICT volunteers - the Latin American Disabled People's Project experience

By Lasa Information Systems Team

Lasa's Ian Runeckles talks to Ariel, an IT volunteer, and LADPP staff to find out how Ariel has helped LADPP, and how language impacted on their involvement in Lasa's Circuit Rider Project.

The Latin American Disabled People's Project (LADPP) was established in 1990 to improve the quality of life of disabled Spanish and Portuguese speaking people in London and has over 300 members. This is done through providing information, training, advice, advocacy, social and cultural events and volunteering opportunities. LADPP is based in Kennington, South London, and joined Lasa's Circuit Rider Project in January 2003.

LADPP have 5 PCs in a peer to peer network and have just installed a broadband Internet connection. When the Circuit Rider Project Healthcheck was carried out, LADPP had the services of Ana Miranda, a Portuguese ICT volunteer. Unfortunately (for LADPP!) Ana found a job which meant that she was no longer able to help support their ICT system.

LADPP contacted IT4Communities and attended an introductory session which explained how their IT volunteering programme worked.  Essentially, IT professionals who wish to contribute time and expertise to community organisations register with IT4C who "match-make" them with organisations who have ideas for IT projects.  Ariel Badilla had registered with IT4Communities who identified that, as a Chilean national, his Spanish would be very helpful when assisting LADPP.

Lasa's Circuit Rider Ian Runeckles went to see Ariel, along with LADPP staff Clara Ines Cohen and Dominic Gourd, to find out how his volunteering had helped them and how language has impacted on the Circuit Rider Project. At the time that this interview was carried out (June 2004), Ariel had been volunteering for LADPP for around a year, coming in for a day a week, but was about to commit to work which would not allow him time to assist LADPP on a regular basis.

How has Ariel being a Spanish speaker helped LADPP?

LADPP found themselves in a critical support situation when Ana left. The Circuit Rider Project had provided LADPP with an action plan but without a dedicated volunteer, it would be difficult to take it forward.

Ariel could explain everything, not only in Spanish, but in terms which the other staff could understand. ICT language with its use of jargon makes it hard for people whose first language is not English to understand (it's not that easy for those with English as their main language!). Ariel's patience and commitment was just as important as his language skills, if not more so.

Prior to Ariel arriving, were there problems which could not be resolved or which were difficult to resolve because of language issues?

In the past LADPP had another Spanish-speaking IT volunteer. However, despite having the language and being technically very able, the volunteer could not clearly or effectively communicate how problems had been resolved which made it hard for LADPP to take control of their IT or to learn why issues were arising, making them even more dependant.

As I understand that Ariel will not be able to support you much longer, will you be seeking another Spanish speaking support volunteer?

LADPP have been in touch with the Wandsworth Volunteer Bureau and will probably have the services of another IT volunteer shortly through YouthNet UK's Do-It scheme. The volunteer proposed to work with LADPP does not, however, come from a Spanish background.

It's obvious that LADPP has benefited from Ariel's involvement, but what has Ariel gained from it personally?

One of Ariel's reasons for wanting to volunteer was to help improve his English, but being with a Latin American organisation hasn't helped this very much!

Ariel believes in the concept of volunteering and in addition to improving his technical skills has made contact with many people from his homeland and other Latin American countries. He has also gained IT administration and management skills through working with LADPP on their Circuit Rider project action plan.

Are you using Windows or any applications in Spanish or Portuguese?

LADPP has one PC which is running a Spanish installation of Windows and other PCs which have a Spanish version of Microsoft Office installed.

Most of LADPP's computerised work is done in English, the exceptions being the newsletter which is published in Spanish and Portuguese versions. LADPP have found it helpful having one Spanish desktop but do not feel it is essential. Their use of the language capabilities within Office, such as the spellchecker varies - some staff type in Spanish using combination keystrokes to insert accents, whereas others ignore the accents when typing and use the Spanish language spellchecker to correct the spellings.

Have you used Lasa's multilingual website project Multikulti? Or any other Spanish or Portuguese web resources?

One of LADPP's case workers refers to Multikulti when working with clients and has found it helpful. Most of the resources on the web that are useful to LADPP are in English.

LADPP's current Business Plan and the Circuit Rider Project action plan includes website development - will you be incorporating any Spanish or Portuguese translations?

LADPP recently purchased the ladpp.org.uk domain and Ariel is hoping to establish a basic website shortly. The site will eventually have information in English, Spanish and Portuguese and newsletters in both languages will be available, either in html or as Word or PDF downloads.

Would it have been helpful for you to have had a Circuit Rider that could speak Spanish and/or Portuguese?

LADPP did not feel that this was essential as with their previous experience with a volunteer, the attitude and ability of the Circuit Rider to communicate in plain language was more important than the actual language in which is was said. They also pointed out that teaching ability was important in a Rider.

Has having other Latin American groups on the Project been helpful?* I've noticed that there are usually conversations going on in Spanish at the seminars!

Yes, definitely. The seminars were especially helpful for linking up with other London-based Latin American groups and having joint training sessions on the AIMS case management software with other Spanish speaking groups meant that trainees were able to explain issues and help each other by using their first language. This could be extended to other application training sessions.

Have you been in touch with any of the Latin American groups outside of organised events such as the seminars?

Yes, this has happened. The Project mailing list has also been helpful in providing a way of contacting the groups.

Lasa thanks Clara, Ariel and Dominic at LADPP for taking the time to contribute to this case study.

* The other Latin American groups on the Project were Carila and the Latin American Women's Rights Service and groups such as Migrants Resource Centre and Voluntary Action Waltham Forest have Spanish-speaking staff.