Enhancing Court Access

Individuals who are limited English proficient (LEP) are those for whom English is not their primary language and they have a limited ability to read, write, speak, or understand English. Immigrants to the United States come from many language backgrounds and while some speak English very well, approximately half of the total immigrant population of 43.3 million in 2015 was LEP. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2015 more than 25.9 million people in the United States ages five or older spoke English less than “very well,” representing 9% of the overall U.S. population ages five and older (Batalova & Zong, 2016).

Advocates play an important role in creating greater access for individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) to other community systems and resources. This work is critical because it decreases barriers for survivors of color and makes approaching the same resource easier the next time. This section can help you identify strategies to build greater language access for individuals with LEP in your area.