Knowledge Base

How do I prepare? Part 1 How do you prepare yourself to talk to your child about sensitive subjects? Try to go into the conversations with these principles in mind. Be patient Sometimes it can take a while for children to ask their question or tell a story. This may be […]

Am I too late? A parent is a child’s first and most important teacher; open and honest communication will allow you to teach your children some of the most important lessons they’ll ever learn. Start early When young children want information and advice, they go to their parents first. Once they […]

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, […]