Training and technical assistance

For many students and administrators, working through institutional structures and implementing policies related to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking on campus is a very difficult and daunting job. It is critical for on-campus advocates working with Latin@ students to be knowledgeable of Latin@ cultural contexts – their experience, […]

In early 2014, Esperanza United conducted a national assessment of the language accessibility of court systems to survivors of sexual and domestic violence (S/DV), who have limited English proficiency (LEP). LEP is defined by the Federal Interagency Working Group on Limited English Proficiency as characteristic of “individuals who do not speak […]

Trainings, glossaries, and curricula Continuous education is necessary for Language Access since language evolves with new words, phrases. Glossaries There are many unique terms for language access that are necessary for everyone (victims and advocates) need to know. Here are some resources on terminology. We encourage you to develop your own […]

Sample LEP plans It is helpful to review language access plans from other organizations. Here are two different examples of language access plans that may be helpful as you work towards meaningful language access. Model protocol on services for limited English proficient immigrant and refugee victims of domestic violence, by the […]

Promising practices There are many promising practices throughout this website, however, we would like to highlight the following promising practices: The use of glossaries to have consistent usage of words spoken in your community Ongoing Language Access trainings for all staff Periodically reviewing the codes of ethics and guidelines for interpretation practices. Helpful […]

Resources This section provides the following of resources: Data about why language access is important and the population with LEP in the US, and the federal laws that mandate language access (and the guidance on how to do so). This information can be especially helpful for systems advocacy. Sample plans and […]

Share your work  Last updated 2021

Tool: Increasing language access in the courts The increasing language access in the courts tool: Examines advocates’ observations about the court experiences of survivors with limited English proficiency Offers guidance and resources to build systems change efforts for language accessibility In 2013, we conducted a nationwide assessment of court-based language accessibility […]

Systems change Systems change is a process that involves responding to an instance of lack of language access (for example) and builds on that one experience to create significant change in a system or service. The following steps were outlined through an interview with Enlace Comunitario, a social justice organization led by Latina women […]

Create greater access Helping individual survivors with LEP access community services Despite Title VI’s enactment decades ago, advocacy is still required in many communities for services to be fully accessible to survivors with LEP. As new immigrant communities continue to move to the US and into more parts of the country, […]