Language and Accessibility Services

The Department of Language Services at Children’s Mercy Hospital focuses on bridging the communication barriers between Limited English Proficiency (LEP) and Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HH) patients, families, and staff. This is provided by: Staffing qualified medical interpreters, agency interpreters through coordination with outside vendors, and auxiliary aids and services for persons with disabilities. Over the Phone Interpretation (OPI) and Video Remote Interpretation (VRI) are available 24/7 to enhance services and ensure accessibility to a broad variety of languages. In addition, translation services are provided for our top 5 languages.

Key Services

Interpreting services are provided free of charge. Trained staff and outside vendor interpreters can provide interpretation services to all patients and families with limited English proficiency (LEP). You can anticipate to receive interpreting services through one of the following modalities:

• Face-to-face
• Over the phone interpretation (OPI)
• Video remote interpretation (VRI)  

Contact Us

Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. call (816) 234-3474

After hours and weekends page (816) 458-5322

If you have indicated a need for interpreter services at the time of scheduling, interpreter services will be coordinated for you in advance.

Interpreting services are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.