Language Access Conference 2022
Unmasking injustice: language access and equity for all
- Product Number: 2220096P01
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CLE Credits, earn up to:
5 substantive credits, 0 ethics credits CLE Credit Note - Print Brochure
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Product Description
Product Description
Our state enjoys a vast, diverse immigrant and multilingual population. In fact, nearly 1 in 10 Massachusetts residents speaks a primary language other than English. Many, if not all, state agencies are legally obligated under federal and state law to provide language access to limited English proficient (LEP) individuals. The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the failure to adequately provide desperately needed information and public services to the LEP population of Massachusetts.Consideration must be given to many factors to provide equal access to state government and other necessary services to the growing LEP population in our state. The forum and context of the situation may require particular attention to the individual’s culture, norms and customs, whether it be responding to a call to police for help with domestic violence, participating in a court hearing for an eviction, or navigating an emergency room visit. Language access must include not only interpretation at an initial meeting, but ongoing communication as well as written translation of any associated documentation, completion of each component being required to ensure access to the service. Anything short of this leaves an LEP individual vulnerable to the potential loss of benefits, health care, immigration status, and police/court protection in an abusive situation, as well as the risk of eviction and an inability to access rights afforded to everyone, regardless of language preference.
Join this experienced panel to learn more about how we can all strive for language access and equity for all.
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