Language Access Policy: Precedent and Possibilities in U.S. States, Counties, and Cities
More than 21 million people speaking at least 350 languages across the United States are limited English proficient (or LEP), meaning they are not fluent in English. LEP individuals are invaluable members of our communities and represent, in many ways, the best of the United States: our diversity, our courage, and our perseverance.
For these 21 million people, language barriers can pose a substantial obstacle to accessing public services and resources, including emergency services, legal services, education, and health care. Language access helps bridge this gap. By connecting LEP individuals with the services and institutions they need to thrive, language access facilitates the inclusion, wellbeing, safety, and success of our communities.
Mandated by federal requirements and judicial precedent—including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, Executive Order 13166, and Lau v. Nichols, among others—language access is a fundamental aspect of civil rights and a prerequisite to functional public policy. Communities and local governments across the United States—from towns as small as Brighton in Michigan, to cities as large as New York City—have successfully implemented language access policies to make sure LEP individuals in their communities can access public services.
This document details a “Language Access Policy Menu,” which offers advocates a comprehensive analysis of language access policies, including their successes and failures, and suggests strategy and policy language best practices for implementing language access on the city, county, and state level. Whether policy recommendations or strategy highlights, the best practices available in this document were chosen for their measurable impact, inclusivity, and depth.
Successful language access policy and strategy is:
Inclusive:
Ensures language access for all LEP individuals regardless of the frequency of their primary language in a particular geographic area or service population.
Built with accommodations for LEP individuals with limited literacy, or whose primary language does not have a written form.
Removes digital and arbitrary barriers for language access.
Reflects the service needs of impacted communities.
Comprehensive:
Defined within explicit, inclusionary, and technologically aware terms.
Impactful:
Developed with clear implementation and enforcement strategies within policy language and practices.
Accountable through data collection processes (i.e., tracking communities served) and public posting.
Through inclusive and comprehensive policy language and concrete implementation measures, we can make language access a reality for refugee communities and other LEP individuals in our communities.
For questions, please contact Annie Rose Healion at annie@refugeeadvocacylab.org.
THUMBNAIL IMAGE: © UNHCR/Cynthia Hunter