Summer is often one of the busiest seasons for public-facing projects. Construction updates, health outreach, education programs, and community events bring more direct interaction with residents. By August, many of these initiatives are well underway—or entering their final stretch.
This part of the season is a good time to check in on language access plans. When information isn’t available in the languages people use at home, participation drops and misunderstandings become more likely.
Here are five ways to keep language access strong through the rest of the season:
Identify Which Projects Require Language Access
Summer projects often involve more face-to-face interaction with the public. Infrastructure repairs, public health campaigns, youth programs, and city-sponsored events all rely on timely communication to keep things running smoothly.
Start by identifying which of these efforts will require direct outreach. If the public needs to read a sign, follow instructions, attend an event, or take action, those materials likely need multilingual support. Planning ahead helps avoid last-minute translation requests and keeps information accessible for everyone involved.
Focus on Languages Spoken in Target Areas
Effective language access starts with understanding who you’re trying to reach. Use the most recent data available—school enrollment, census records, or interpreter logs—to identify the languages spoken in your service areas.
Coordination across city or regional departments can help fill in the gaps and make sure outreach reflects current needs. Avoid relying on outdated lists or making assumptions about which languages are needed. A more accurate picture leads to better communication and better use of resources.
Prepare Materials for Outdoor and On-the-Go Settings
Summer projects often involve communication in outdoor or fast-moving environments. That could mean signs at construction sites, printed handouts at events, or alerts shared through mobile tools.
Translated materials should be easy to read at a glance, especially in settings where people may not stop for long. Keep language simple, make fonts and layouts easy to scan, and consider how weather or movement might affect visibility. When materials are designed with real-world use in mind, they’re more likely to reach the people they’re meant for.
Support Live Interpretation at Events or Service Points
Public meetings, pop-up events, and service sites are a big part of summer outreach. If residents are expected to ask questions, fill out forms, or engage with staff, language support should be built in.
Plan ahead by scheduling interpreters or setting up access to phone and video interpretation. This adds flexibility, especially in field settings where plans can shift. Make sure language availability is promoted clearly so residents know support is there and how to ask for it.
Coordinate Internally to Keep Teams on Track
Seasonal projects often involve temporary staff, rotating schedules, and fast-moving tasks. Without a shared process, language support can easily be overlooked.
Take time to brief teams on how to request interpreters or access translated materials. Provide quick-reference guides or simple instructions so staff don’t have to search for what they need. When language access is part of the planning checklist, it becomes a consistent part of how the work gets done.
Finish the Season Strong with the Right Language Support
Language access plays a big role in how communities engage with summer programs and services. Taking time now to plan for translated materials, interpreter availability, and team coordination can prevent last-minute issues and help keep projects running smoothly.
Review your upcoming initiatives, identify where support is needed, and make sure your teams are ready.
Propio partners with government agencies to deliver multilingual communication for seasonal work, public outreach, and community engagement—on your timeline and in the languages your residents use every day.
