Advocacy Toolkit
GETTING STARTED
Nationwide, interpreters are finding themselves in uncharted territory as they work to improve inadequate working conditions, confusing credentialing standards, and pay inequity. Many feel isolated in their plight and don’t know where to start.
This toolkit compiles strategies that work, pitfalls to avoid, resources, and testimonials of other professional interpreters who, through leadership and advocacy work, have made great strides for causes that affect our profession.
We invite you to explore this advocacy toolkit to learn how to get involved and advocate successfully for the issues you’re concerned about.
STRATEGIES THAT WORK
Discover how interpreter advocates can use proven strategies such as positivity, collaborative communication, and strategic focus on key issues like compensation and certification to magnify their impact.
PITFALLS TO AVOID
Explore some common pitfalls that can undermine advocacy efforts so that you can learn how to avoid them.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Advocacy Workbook: Sometimes advocacy can be emotionally draining. Click here for a workbook designed to help you start and continue the process in a productive frame of mind.
- Sample Letters: Many court interpreters got the ball rolling by sending letters to decision-makers. Click here to take a look at NAJIT’s Advocacy Committee webpage. Among the descriptions of our recent efforts, you will find some sample letters we’ve sent to support our colleagues across the nation. Feel free to use them as a guide for your advocacy letter-writing campaigns!
TESTIMONIALS
We’re in the process of compiling accounts of the real life experiences of interpreters like you who achieved change in their regions. Come back soon to gain insight from those who have taken action and lived to tell the tale!