Understanding matters.

Every word matters to patients navigating care. Local interpreters help deliver clarity, accuracy, and compassion.

Understanding matters.

Better understanding leads to better outcomes— for businesses, employees, employers, and the entire Dubuque Area Community.

FIND AN INTERPRETER

Understanding matters.

Local interpreters increase workforce understanding and support a more productive workplace.

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Connect with diverse Dubuque-area populations

Local interpreters foster connections by increasing understanding

Professional interpreters make it easier to build meaningful, personal connections with Spanish- and Marshallese-speaking members of our community.

Local interpreters foster connections by increasing understanding

Over 20 local interpreters are available to bridge language gaps, making it easier for diverse populations to access services and understand important information.

Close communication gaps and build a better community

Local interpreters foster connections by increasing understanding

Close communication gaps and build a better community

Taking steps to understand people isn’t just the right thing to do—it helps employers and service providers stand out, creating a competitive edge that builds trust and long-term loyalty.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have additional questions, please contact Alex Baum, Director of Advocacy, Data and Learning at the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, by emailing alex@dbqfoundation.org.

What is Understanding Matters DBQ?

Understanding Matters DBQ is an initiative of the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque and the Better Together Committee, supported by the Dubuque County Health Department. The initiative aims to connect local businesses and organizations with reliable, trained, local interpretation services while promoting a deeper understanding of the importance of communicating effectively with all residents. By expanding access to interpretation, Understanding Matters DBQ encourages inclusive communication and helps ensure that every member of the community can be heard, understood, and served.

Do I just work directly with the interpreter or do I work through someone else?

Business and organizations are encouraged to work directly with the interpreters. Understanding Matters DBQ's role is to simply make the introductions, help people understand the importance, and encourage increased usage of interpretation services.

Who do the interpreters work for?

Each of the interpreters listed in the directory are independent contractors, and not staff of the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, Dubuque County Health Department, or the Better Together Committee.

Should the interpreters be paid for their work?

Yes. Interpretation and translation are important skills, and the interpreters listed on this page have all received professional training in medical interpretation. Because of this, it is important that they are appropriately compensated for their work. The costs of each interpretation/translation job depends on a number of factors, including the specifications of the job, the technical knowledge required, and the qualifications of the interpreter. Interpretation/translation fees should be discussed directly with the interpreter. For additional compensation guidance, please refer to https://dbqfoundation.org/pages/recommendations-for-translation-and-interpretation

Can medical interpreters translate for non-medical businesses?

Absolutely! The medical interpretation training all of the interpreters took part in includes a more basic interpretation training that is relevant for most businesses. Only certain areas of expertise, such as legal interpretation, would require additional specialized training.

Understanding matters.

Understanding matters.

Understanding matters.

This program is designed to help health care providers, businesses, and organizations in the Dubuque region successfully collaborate with trained interpreters from within our community, creating stronger connections and countless mutual benefits for everyone involved.

Connect with diverse Dubuque-area populations

Local interpreters foster connections by increasing understanding

Local interpreters foster connections by increasing understanding

Local interpreters foster connections by increasing understanding

Local interpreters foster connections by increasing understanding

Local interpreters foster connections by increasing understanding

Close communication gaps and build a better community

Local interpreters foster connections by increasing understanding

Close communication gaps and build a better community

Frequently Asked Questions

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