Expanding Access Quarterly Office of Access, Inclusion, and Compliance, Division of Extension

Spring 2022

From land-grant to law school: Best wishes, Ariana Thao!

May 20th was Ariana’s last day with the Division of Extension. So, the OAIC team would like to take a moment to acknowledge and thank Ariana for her outstanding contributions to Extension over the past four years. In case you do not already know, Ariana was initially hired as a summer intern in 2018 to support Project Hais Lus—a study that sought to better understand HMoob community perspectives on language access, cultural barriers, and Extension programming. She did such an excellent job that we then hired her on as a student employee. She held that position until she finished her bachelor’s degree in political science from UW-Madison in May 2020.

Attending law school has always been a goal of Ariana’s. However, before applying to law school, she wanted to enter the workforce and build professional experience. So, we were able to sculpt a position for her and keep her on staff as she pursued her plans to apply to law school. And in the nearly four years she’s been with Extension, she has spent the last two on our staff as a Resource Development & Implementation Specialist.

Regardless of position, Ariana has always been committed to high-quality work and has never backed away from taking on new challenges or expanding her skill set. As we think about her contributions to OAIC and Extension as a whole, here are some of the most notable projects and accomplishments Ariana either led or supported: refining and improving the structure of OAIC’s intake form; expanding the suite of our unit’s guidance documents; and strengthening the architecture of our website presence, resources, and visual tools. She curated the Anti-racism Resource Library as a part of Initiative #4 of Extension’s Call to Action and played a key role in efforts connected to Initiative #1.

Ariana helped design trainings that now have a Division-wide reach and helped pilot an initiative to integrate oral proficiency interviews when hiring bilingual candidates. She helped support Innovation Grant-funded efforts, like building the network and capacity of the HMoob Farming Families Project, and was chair of the 2021 All-Colleague Conference’s technology committee. Behind the scenes, Ariana was a strong asset in helping fellow OAIC team members support the consultative component of our work in a consistent and sustainable manner. Her skills, positive attitude, compassion toward others, adaptable learning style, and sensitivity to the complexities of IDEA work in a place like Extension have supported her success and have cast her credibility as an unmistakable, irrevocable, and GSD-certified, Extensionista.

It cannot be overstated that as a result of Ariana's guidance, our project has successfully encountered excitement and interest from HMoob community organizations and farmers in working with UW-Extension to learn of HMoob farmers’ needs and goals. This success helped our team secure additional funding through the second Innovation Grant, and now the team is on our way to applying for the 2501, with a far stronger application than four years ago! Ariana's work has played a key role in helping Extension offer educational programming that is more equitable and inclusive by design." -Trisha Wagner, HMoob Farming Families Project

We are sad to see Ariana go after the four best years of her career (according to us 😊), but are excited for her as she starts law school this fall in Chicago at DePaul University. Not only is she attending a nationally ranked law school, but she is also doing so as a recipient of their Dean’s Scholarship that covers 80% of her tuition. Thank you, Ariana, and all the best as you start this next phase of your educational and professional preparation.

"Being LGBTQ in 2022" highlights ways educators can support the well-being of LGBTQ+ youth, particularly in rural areas

In February, the LGBTQ+ Champion Group hosted Dr. Logan Casey, of the Movement Advancement Project (MAP), to present "Being LGBTQ in 2022: How Far We Still Have to Go, and What 4-H and Educators Can Do to Support LGBTQ Youth".

Dr. Casey provided an overview of LGBTQ+ people today, contemporary policy issues shaping LGBTQ+ lives, and the implications for LGBTQ+ youth and rural communities. He discussed Wisconsin's equality profile—part of his organization's equality maps series, which tracks over 50 different LGBTQ-related laws and policies. Additionally, he shared specific recommendations about roles educators can play in supporting LGBTQ+ youth in the face of both rural-specific challenges and the broader policy landscape.

Dr. Casey's recommendations centered on building community and combatting isolation. He emphasized asking LGBTQ+ youth what they need and then being sure to listen to them. He stressed the value of visible support; visual cues saying that a space is inclusive—from a lanyard pin or sticker to explicitly LGBTQ-inclusive language in policies to signage at community events. Dr. Casey encouraged sharing knowledge about LGBTQ-inclusive resources that already exist in your local community and attending related programming. He highlighted important youth resources like the The Trevor Project, as well as opportunities for educators to connect with state and local community organizations through Fair Wisconsin, PFLAG, and CenterLink.

In addition, Dr. Casey shared reports, recommendations, and other resources compiled as part of MAP's rural series, such as "How Educators and Schools Can Support LGBT Youth in Rural Communities," "Where We Call Home: LGBT People of Color in Rural America," and MAP's webpage detailing a variety of additional rural LGBT resources (e.g., multilingual materials and specific resources for youth, seniors, and communities of color). A recording of the full one-hour session is available here.

Inaugural cohort of Learning Community wraps up

In April, the Learning Community for Inclusive Organizational Citizenship concluded its inaugural cohort-based professional development experience. The Learning Community was launched as Initiative 2 of the Call to Action in an effort to provide an innovative, sustained and community-based approach to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) professional development.

Over the course of seven months, participants from across the state and representing each of Extension’s institutes, engaged in dialogue and reflection with the goal of building self-awareness around the many ways in which social identity (race, gender, ability, etc.) shapes their lives and their workplaces. Specific topics addressed include: the historical basis for racial disparities in the US, white supremacy culture, building transgender inclusive spaces, ableism and disability, recognizing microaggressions, and transforming organizational culture. With 25 participants total, the Learning Community provided a relationship-based approach with room to grow for future cohorts.

Survey data show that participants made considerable gains in self-awareness, as well as in their likelihood to engage in difficult conversations and raise issues of equity and inclusion in Extension. The Office of Access, Inclusion, and Compliance is grateful for the engaged participation of Extension professionals across the state to make this initiative a success—both as participants and as volunteer co-facilitators—and we look forward to continuing the work of this Initiative.

For future related offerings, please stay tuned to the OAIC website, or contact Caitlin Yunis, Lead Facilitator for the Learning Community for Inclusive Organizational Citizenship.

Partnering with an interpreter? Advance preparation is key!

The date, time, and location of your event are set. The registration form is translated and notifies participants of their right to request interpretation. What other steps lead to a positive participant experience when partnering with an interpreter? We’re so glad you asked! [Note: Anytime you have questions about a project you’re working on, remember that you can request a consultation with our team simply by submitting this service request form. The sooner you reach out to us, the sooner we can partner with you to expand access to your programming.]

Finding a qualified interpreter takes time

• Inform OAIC as soon as possible (15 business days minimum, 30 days is ideal) if you are planning an event where interpretation may be needed.
• It’s easier to cancel an interpreter than it is to find one last minute. If we cancel with 5 business days advance notice, Extension incurs no charges. Have a cutoff date for registrations so you know in advance if you need an interpreter.

Working with an interpreter is a collaborative process—before, during, and after the event

• Interpreters prepare for an assignment by reviewing related background materials to understand the subject matter and context in which they will be working. Provide reference documents, like presentation slides, talking points, and video material that will be shown, as soon as they are available (10 business days in advance is ideal) so the interpreter has sufficient time to review them and create a glossary of relevant words.
• Provide timely, detailed information about the nature of the event. Prepare an agenda so the interpreter knows the schedule and structure, including event start/end times, topics to be covered, if there will be breaks and/or breakout sessions, extended start/end times the interpreter should be present for a technology check and/or debrief, etc. Include an estimate of the total number of participants, as well as those who may use interpretation services.
• Share your phone number in case there are questions in advance, or the interpreter needs to reach you the day of the event.
• The image below shows the collaborative process in action. Click the image to enlarge it.

Funding is available

We have a legal obligation to provide requested language access services (spoken and sign language) so everyone can meaningfully participate in our programs. OAIC manages central funds to cover the cost of language access services—so cost should never be a deterrent for requesting, or a barrier to receiving, language access services.

Interpreting can occur virtually

If an interpreter is appearing remotely, their ability to communicate effectively to participants relies on being able to hear the presenter well and pick up on visual cues in the event space. Keep the following in mind:

• Provide a Zoom link so the interpreter can access the event.
• We recommend having a touch base meeting with OAIC, at least one week prior to the event, to discuss technical logistics and best practice tips for working with a remote interpreter.
• Plan on a practice run and/or technology check with the interpreter 20-30 minutes before the event.
• Have a dedicated laptop with camera to serve as the interpreter’s eyes and ears in the event space.
• Ensure a strong internet connection.
• If participants will hear the interpreter via Zoom and individual headsets, be sure to enable the interpretation feature in Zoom.
• If participants will hear the interpreter via the dedicated laptop, you will need an amplification device (e.g., Bluetooth speakers) so the interpreter can be heard clearly.
• Use a reliable, high-quality headset and speak directly into the microphone. This helps produce clear sound for the interpreter and helps minimize background noises.
• Consider having a co-pilot help with technology while the presenter is speaking.
• If showing a video as part of the event, the interpreter needs to be able to see the screen; or better yet, play the video simultaneously for the interpreter by sharing your screen within the Zoom meeting.

As with any new skill, you will get better each time you partner with an interpreter. Following the above steps will help you prepare in advance to create a linguistically inclusive learning space and have a successful event.

Call to Action update: Bias and Hate Concerns Reporting Platform is now live

The Bias & Hate Concerns Reporting platform is now live. The reporting platform is housed on Knack and can be accessed directly by clicking here. The form is not password protected and can be accessed by employees and volunteers. The form can also be accessed through the following OAIC webpage.

For more information about the Bias & Hate Concerns Reporting Platform, please refer to the Knowledge Base article (KB article #118550) that is hosted on the Extension Employee Handbook.

The Bias & Hate Reporting Platform was created as a part of Extension’s Call to Action. For more information on the specific initiatives listed under the Division of Extension’s strategic commitment to inclusivity and anti-racism work, please click here.

If you have questions about the Bias & Hate Concerns Reporting Platform, please send them to oaic@extension.wisc.edu.

Kyle Charters assisting with disability-related requests during Heather's leave

Heather Stelljes, Extension's Disability Access Consultant, is away on extended family leave. Until her return, Kyle Charters (of the McBurney Disability Resource Center at UW-Madison campus) will be supporting Extension colleagues with accommodation requests and guidance related to accessibility, inclusivity, and working with and supporting individuals with disabilities. You can reach Kyle directly at kyle.charters@wisc.edu, or use any of the other current processes for seeking support, as outlined on the Disability Accommodations webpage.

Join us in welcoming OAIC's newest team member: Eric Rohland

Time for a refresh!! Update your OAIC Service Request Form link

Do you have the link to the OAIC Service Request Form in your bookmarks? If so, please replace the old link with this one: https://uwmadison.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0CilLkuaNNHNAKq.

Submitting an OAIC Service Request Form is the first step in arranging language support services or accessibility and disability accommodation services; to requesting an Area training; or to requesting a consultation session about expanding access, serving diverse audiences, or other equity-oriented issues.

We hope to see you soon!

HMoob farmer’s symposium: Identifying pathways to strengthen support systems for Wisconsin’s HMoob farmers

By Trisha Wagner

Coalition focuses on HMoob farmers’ goals, priorities, and challenges

Wisconsin has the third largest HMoob/Hmong population in the United States. Farming is a traditional practice for the community, and HMoob farmers play a critical role in supplying farmers markets around the state. However, most HMoob farmers have limited knowledge of how to access farmer support programs and services. In addition, they are rarely able to access markets other than farmers markets.

Several challenges have hindered past efforts to work with HMoob farmers, language access being a significant barrier. HMoob is Wisconsin’s third largest language group, following English and Spanish. Many HMoob farmers are first-generation immigrants and not fluent in English, while almost no non-HMoob individuals have any knowledge of the HMoob language. Translators working in the state often are not familiar with agricultural terminology or practices, and struggle (or fail) to explain concepts accurately—several past attempts to provide farm programming suffered from inadequate translation both from English to HMoob and from HMoob to English. In addition, HMoob is not traditionally a written language, so even fluent speakers are often uncomfortable with written translations.

In an effort to understand how to address these inequities and challenges, an informal network of organizations began collaborating in 2020. HMoob-led organizations and others serving HMoob communities across Wisconsin, facilitated by Extension colleagues, collaborated to strengthen relationships, including with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA). Together, they set out to learn more about HMoob farmer goals, priorities, and challenges, and to explore their collective capacity to serve HMoob farmers. [Note: Organizations such as the Wisconsin United Coalition of Mutual Assistance Associations (WUCMAA) originally focused on HMoob refugee assistance; however, now many HMoob organizations have shifted or expanded their focus to address current needs and the needs of second generation individuals and families.]

Focus groups and interviews engage HMoob farmers directly

The network conducted a series of focus groups and interviews with HMoob farmers in three Wisconsin communities—to discuss their goals and challenges. Virtual focus groups occurred in the winter of 2020 and individual interviews took place at farmers markets in the summer of 2021. Extension bilingual student interns, Yeng Yang and Yee Yang, helped create bilingual videos to promote the focus groups with HMoob farmers (click here for video in HMoob/English) and helped conduct some of the interviews.

In these discussions, common challenges surfaced, including access to:

• land and capital,
• government/public programs,
• information about farm transition and labor and career opportunities in agriculture, and
• regional/local markets.

In addition are agronomic and production challenges, such as transition to organic or assistance with organic certification.

Symposium leads to pathways for collective action

With the initial data from the focus groups and interviews, over 40 organizational leaders participated in a virtual meeting series early in 2022. Symposium attendees included a wide variety of organizations currently working with HMoob farmers across the state and beyond, including: Groundswell Conservancy; Groundwork Milwaukee; USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA); Fondy Farms; Wisconsin Farmers Union; Military Avenue, Inc.; The Hmong Institute; Wood County Health Department; Black and Brown Womyn Power Coalition, Inc.; Central Rivers Farmshed; Dane County Farmers Market; Wisconsin United Coalition of Mutual Assistance Associations; Rooted Wisconsin, Inc.; Hmong Mutual Association of Sheboygan; Eau Claire Hmong Mutual Association; USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS); Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service (MOSES); FairShare CSA Coalition; Glacierland Resource Conservation and Development; REAP Food Group; Garden To Be; Michael Fields Agricultural Institute; Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce; Big River Farms (Minnesota); and the City of Manitowoc.

Participants shared perspectives on the focus group/interview responses, identifying changes needed in order to support farmers in realizing their goals and to address their challenges/needs. Based on a set of common outcomes, organizations were able to determine collective actions to achieve them. As a result, Groundswell Conservancy will lead the project Strengthening Support Systems for Wisconsin’s HMoob Farmers in partnership with Extension and community-based organizations from around the state. This project will build on a coalition of HMoob-led organizations and farm organizations to help HMoob farmers in Wisconsin access USDA programs, reach additional markets, and get support from Extension, agricultural lenders and peers.

Key activities will include making information resources available in accessible formats for HMoob farmers, providing programming specifically for HMoob audiences on topics such as tools and strategies for accessing farmland and USDA programs, and providing language and logistical support for HMoob farmers to attend established farm conferences and field days. In addition, the project will work with the next generation of HMoob farmers in Wisconsin to create equitable opportunities in agriculture. The project has submitted an application to the USDA Socially Disadvantaged Farmer (2501) Grant Program in June of 2022.

If you have questions or would like additional information about this project, please reach out to any of the “core team” Extension colleagues who helped facilitate and plan these efforts, including hiring of bilingual interns, developing the survey tool, applying for grants, etc. These members include Laura Apfelbeck, Diane Mayerfeld, Ariana Thao (no longer at Extension), Addison Vang, Trisha Wagner, and Krystina Yang. A huge thank you to the many additional Extension colleagues who participated in and supported the various stages of this project, from making connections with local organizations to sharing experiences to facilitating language access accommodations, and more.

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Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, language(s), background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

For inquiries related to this publication or if you would like to make a financial gift to support the OAIC’s work, please contact oaic@extension.wisc.edu.