Language barriers should never stand in the way of a persons' fundamental right to understand and being understood.

About Us

Uniting Hearts, Changing Lives

Driving Change, Transforming Lives

Children should be free to enjoy their childhood, not burdened with the responsibility of acting as interpreters in complex situations.

A World of Equity and Opportunity

Our vision is to build a future where equity and opportunity are not just ideals, but realities for every person, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.

Guided by Integrity and Compassion

At the heart of our organization are our core values of integrity, compassion, and social responsibility. We believe in upholding the highest ethical standards in all that we do.

Making a Difference, One Step at a Time

We have been dedicated to making a tangible impact in the lives of individuals and communities worldwide. Our work spans a wide range of initiatives aimed at addressing systemic injustices and promoting equality.

Dedicated Minds Behind Our Mission

Our team is comprised of passionate individuals from diverse backgrounds, united by a shared commitment to our mission. Together, we collaborate tirelessly to drive forward our mission and make a meaningful difference in the world.

How It Works

Our Objectives Towards
Making a Difference

Join the Movement
Share your Story,
Make a Difference
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Willie Ramirez

In January 1980,  Willie Ramirez, an 18 year old athlete, experienced a severe headache while out with friends. Disoriented, he managed to reach his girlfriend’s house before collapsing. When his Spanish-speaking family tried to communicate his symptoms, they used the word “intoxicado”—a term that in Spanish means food poison.

The medical team, however, misinterpreted this as "intoxicated," assuming Willie had overdosed on drugs or alcohol. Instead of using an interpreter, the doctor relied on this similar sounding word “intoxicado” to misdiagnose Willie. He quickly labeled Willie, an accomplished baseball player, who did not use alcohol as an overdose case rather than calling the neurologist and investigating other potential causes.

Consequently, they delayed a neurological evaluation for two more days, which could have identified his brain hemorrhage early. This assumption, coupled with a critical linguistic misunderstanding, left Willie quadriplegic. His story highlights not only the essential role of language access and professional interpreters in healthcare but also the need to recognize and overcome biases that can have life-altering consequences.

Gricelda Zamora

Take also the case of Gricelda Zamora, a Thirteen-year-old girl who served as her family's interpreter because her parents spoke limited English. When Gricelda became seriously ill and was taken to the hospital, she was too sick to interpret for herself, and the hospital did not provide an interpreter.

This language barrier led to a critical misunderstanding: without an interpreter, her Spanish-speaking parents were instructed to bring her back immediately if her symptoms worsened, but they understood they should wait three days to see a doctor.

As a result, her condition worsened, and by the time they returned to the hospital, she had a ruptured appendix. Tragically, Gricelda died after being airlifted to another medical center.
Impact

What We Aim to Achieve

Empowering Children

11 million children attending to school instead of doing a work that is unsuitable for them

Ethical Practices

By Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists, Social Workers, Dentist, Attorneys, Psychologists, Public Health, and other professionals when treating LEP persons

Better Outcomes

26 million individuals effectively included and obtaining better outcomes in healthcare, justice, education and other industries

Partnerships

Our Collaborative Partnerships

FAQ

Answers to Your Burning Questions

How can I get involved?

We welcome individuals who want to share their story interpreting when they were children. Please fill out our questionnaire. We also welcome anyone who is passionate about human rights, specially, as it relates to Language Rights, Language Justice and Language Access. You can get involved by volunteering your time, donating to support our programs, or participating in our advocacy campaigns.

How are donations used?

Your donations play a crucial role in supporting our mission. They are used to fund our programs, initiatives, and advocacy efforts aimed at promoting Language Justice, Language Rights, and Language Access and advancing human rights. We ensure that every dollar is used efficiently and effectively to maximize impact.

Do you offer internships?

We occasionally offer internship and employment opportunities for individuals who are passionate about our cause and have the skills and dedication to contribute to our work. Please contact us for more information.

How can I request support?

If you or someone you know is in need of support or assistance related to lack of Language Access. You can contact us for direction. Our team will do our best to provide guidance, resources, or referrals to appropriate services.

How can I report a social justice issue?

If you or someone you know is a person with limited English proficiency and they were denied Language Access. You can directly place a complain at lep.gov

Goals

Charting Our Vision for the Future

Unheard Voices is passionately dedicated to eradicating language-based discrimination and ending the practice of child interpretation.

By championing Language Justice, Language Rights, and Language Access, we aim to empower millions who face inequality because of the language they speak—or don't speak.

Our vision is to create a society that embraces equitable practices for all, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued. Together, we can forge a path towards a more just and inclusive future.

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Let's Start a Conversation

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Send us messages, ask questions, or share your thoughts. We value your input and look forward to hearing from you!

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