Utah Language Access Conference

The Utah Language Access Conference is a joint effort from key stakeholders in language access and interpretation in the state of Utah, coming from varied organizations and industry backgrounds, including interpreters, trainers, language services managers, and translators.  The Utah Translators and Interpreters Association (UTIA) is a non-profit organization comprised of, and formed by, language professionals in the state of Utah. UTIA’s goal is to advance and elevate the quality and availability of language services in Utah, and work for the development of our profession.

Our conference is intended to provide an educational and networking opportunity for interpreters and translators working in the medical, legal, community and educational fields.  Interpreters, translators, trainers, hospital administrators, compliance officers, language program coordinators, industry leaders, and healthcare/services providers from Utah and other states around the country are invited to gather for two days to share knowledge, enhance skills, exchange new policy trends, and engage in other emerging topics impacting language services in the healthcare, legal, and education fields. Our conference attracts both spoken language and ASL interpreters.

We emphasize the importance of trained and qualified interpreters as facilitators of communication in the legal system as well as in schools, public/community services, and healthcare. The Utah Language Access Conference supports the professional goals of interpreters and translators, and embraces the opportunity to offer Continued Education Units (CEU).

Be a Sponsor or Exhibitor at ULAC24

The most recent Utah Language Access Conference in 2019 was a great success, with attendees from 8 different states (see comments from attendees at utianet.org). This year we hope to host a larger group of interpreters and translators. As one of the very few states in the nation with a State Certification program for both ASL and spoken language medical interpreters, industry leaders from around the country look to Utah for direction and inspiration, and you can share that spotlight by being part of this event. Linguists are eager to expand their careers and are looking for agencies, educators, and industry leaders who support their goals.

Your sponsorship will allow you to reach the Utah interpreting and translating community, and help keep our conference affordable and accessible!

Deadline is May 14, 2024.

Call for Presenters

Submit a presentation proposal for ULAC24. The conference will provide workshops, panels and presentations with applicable Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for ATA, AOC (Utah Courts), RID, UIP, CEAP/CCHI and IMIA/NBCMI (CEUs will vary depending on the subject matter). ULAC24 will take place from June 28th to 29th of the Eccles Conference Center on Utah State University’s Logan campus in northern Utah.

Proposals for workshops, panels, presentations, or posters in languages other than English are encouraged, specifically those in high demand in Utah. Workshops, panels, and presentations can be related to translation and localization, interpretation (both ASL and spoken languages, in any field: medical, legal, education, etc.), laws and regulations regarding Language Access, etc. The following list provides some examples of topics: 

  • Language Access and patient/defendant/student rights 
  • Managing power and privilege dynamics as interpreters 
  • Terminology and key concepts for a specific field or specialization 
  • Culturally and linguistically appropriate services 
  • Skills needed for and challenges in interpreting in medical/legal/educational settings 
  • Interpreting and translating for the mental health domain 
  • Interpreting skills (consecutive mode, sight translation, simultaneous mode, note taking, time management, self-care, advocacy, cultural mediation, etc.) 
  • Interpreting for languages of lesser diffusion 
  • Translation skills and tools related specific domains (e.g., medical, legal, education) 
  • Work benefits or challenges for contract interpreters, freelance, staff interpreters, translators and bilingual employees 
  • Applications of technology that improve access to care/services, interpreter training and on-the-job tools for working interpreters 
  • Impact of Generative AI on translation and interpreting 
  • Requirements for professional licensing and/or certification 
  • Business practices as an independent contractor 
  • Localization

Deadline Extended: March 22, 2024

Be prepared to upload (or share a link to) a 2 minute video pitching your presentation to the committee. Please use the Google form below to submit your proposal. Click here to see a pdf version.

Call for Presenters

Submit your proposal for presentations, workshops or posters by February 29, 2024

Sponsors and Exhibitors

Deadline May 14, 2024

Become a Volunteer

12 spots available for ULAC24

ULAC24 Planning Committee

The Utah Language Access Conference Planning Committee is composed of talented and dedicated volunteers from various sectors of the Language Services Industry in our community.

UTIA Board

Carlos Martinez-Morales – President and Organizing Committee Chair

Tia Oniani – Vice-President

Darcely Munguia – Secretary

Sponsorships and Exhibitors Subcommittee

  • Cody Simonsen – Chair
  • Dawn Duran
  • Lelani Craig
  • Crescencio Lopez
  • Devin Gilbert
  • Connor Heward

Presenters and CEU Subcommittee

  • Dawn Duran – Chair
  • Devin Gilbert
  • Lelani Craig
  • Elsa Perez
  • Sofia Monson
  • Dale Lundstrom

Media and Marketing Subcommittee

  • Edwin Espinel – Chair
  • Luisa Hansen
  • Elsa Lopez
  • Yesenia Timoteo
  • Jafet Quezada
  • Dale Lundstrom

Memberships, Registration & Finance

  • Marco Mora-Huizar – Chair
  • Katya Beall
  • Dale Lundstrom
  • Tia Oniani

Past Conferences

ULAC19
Pictures

ULAC18
Pictures