
Accessing accurate and timely health information can be a significant challenge for refugees and immigrants who do not speak English fluently. Language barriers often prevent these communities from receiving critical knowledge about public health issues, preventive care, and available resources.
Recognizing this need, the Vermont Language Justice Project has stepped up to bridge the information gap and ensure that all Vermonters, regardless of their native language, have access to essential health information.

The Vermont Language Justice Project, launched in March 2020, has been creating informative videos in 18 languages to provide critical health information to Vermont’s immigrant and refugee communities. The project, spearheaded by social worker and filmmaker Alison Segar, has produced over 2000 videos that have been viewed at least 183,000 times.
The videos cover a wide range of topics, from COVID-19 updates to mental health resources, and are created by local translators who understand the nuances and values of their respective communities.
The project’s success lies in its unique approach of delivering information through engaging, audiovisual content featuring trusted community members. This method has proven more effective than traditional translation of written materials. The project has received funding from various sources, including a grant from the CDC, which allowed the project to expand its reach and cover more diverse topics.
As the project continues to grow, Segar and her team are working on new initiatives, such as a user-friendly app and videos addressing preventive medicine and sexual and reproductive health. The Vermont Language Justice Project has become an essential resource for the state’s immigrant and refugee populations, ensuring that everyone has access to the information they need to lead healthier, safer lives. Segar hopes that language access will become a priority for all organizations, recognizing its crucial role in promoting equity and well-being.
Read the full article By Alison Novak in Seven Days: A Video Project Delivers Critical Health Information to Immigrants in 18 Languages.