Peggy Liao

Peggy Liao is the Language Access Program Manager at the City of Seattle, specifically within the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA). She plays a crucial role in enhancing communication and access for Seattle's immigrant and refugee communities through effective language services and policies.

Background and Experience

• Education and Early Life: Peggy was born and raised in Taiwan and moved to the United States in 2014. Her background provides her with a unique perspective on the challenges faced by non-English speaking residents.
• Professional Role: As a Language Access Program Manager, she oversees the city-wide Language Access Program, which aims to improve accessibility to city services for individuals who speak languages other than English. This includes implementing strategies for translation and communication that are clear and culturally relevant.15

Key Contributions

• Centralization of Language Services: During her tenure, Peggy has been instrumental in centralizing the translation services across various city departments. This initiative was particularly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic when there was an urgent need for timely translation of public health information.23
• Use of Technology: Peggy has advocated for the integration of technology in language services, such as utilizing AI tools to improve clarity in communications and streamline translation processes. This has resulted in more efficient workflows and reduced translation costs.34
• Community Engagement: She emphasizes working with local translators from immigrant communities, which not only enhances the quality of translations but also supports local workforce development.3

Future Directions

Peggy is focused on promoting a culture of plain language within city communications, ensuring that all residents can easily understand public information. She plans to incorporate user testing into future projects to refine content further and is exploring policy initiatives to solidify these practices across Seattle's government.12

Her work reflects a commitment to equity and inclusion, making significant strides in how city services communicate with diverse populations.