Date of Defense

4-23-2026

Date of Graduation

5-2026

Department

Social Work

First Advisor

Christopher Hodshire

Second Advisor

Marysol Millar

Third Advisor

Lucy Kent-Bracken

Abstract

This honors thesis presents an initiative project conducted in partnership with the Kalamazoo Metro Transit system in Kalamazoo, Michigan, focused on improving language accessibility and transportation equity for Spanish-speaking residents. The project emerged from my social work internship at El Concilio – The Hispanic American Council, where case management experience revealed transportation barriers affecting many Hispanic community members. A key issue identified was limited access to public transportation information among individuals with limited English proficiency, which restricted equitable use of Metro Transit services.

To address this gap, the project began with an assessment of Metro Transit’s publicly available materials, including its website, rider information, and service documents. This review found that many essential resources were only available in English, creating accessibility barriers for non-English-speaking riders. Based on this assessment, the project proposed targeted language-access improvements, including translation of key documents and the development of bilingual informational materials.

The initiative progressed through engagement with Metro Transit leadership, including the Executive Director and Outreach Manager, resulting in a collaborative meeting attended by my thesis chair and I. This meeting facilitated discussion of accessibility needs and potential strategies for improvement and led to the development of a partnership between Metro Transit and El Concilio to support ongoing collaboration on language-access initiatives.

The implementation phase included the translation of six essential Metro Transit documents into Spanish, including the Passenger ADA Complaint Form and the Certification of Reduced Fare application. All translations were reviewed by fluent Spanish speakers to ensure linguistic accuracy and cultural appropriateness. In addition, bilingual bus stop signage and informational posters were designed for use inside Metro buses, informed by observation of existing transit signage and intended to improve clarity for both English- and Spanish-speaking riders.

As a result, Metro Transit plans to incorporate the translated documents into its services and pilot bilingual signage in the Edison neighborhood, selected for its significant Spanish-speaking population and Hispanic-owned businesses. The partnership between Metro Transit and El Concilio provides a foundation for continued collaboration and community-informed service improvements.

Overall, this project highlights the importance of language accessibility as a component of transportation equity. It demonstrates how community partnerships and social work practice can identify service gaps and implement solutions that reduce barriers for marginalized populations. This initiative contributes to broader efforts to create more inclusive public transportation systems and offers a model for student-led, community-engaged interventions that promote equity, access, and social inclusion.

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Restricted

Restricted to Campus until

9-30-2028

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Available for download on Friday, September 29, 2028

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