The work of the D.C. Language Access Coalition is currently prioritized into three language access campaign areas: education, healthcare, and human services. These service areas are of critical importance to the LEP population, but government agencies working in these areas consistently fail to fully comply with the Language Access Act of 2004. In addition, Coalition member organizations identify pressing language access issues faced by their communities at monthly meetings. The Coalition takes on these issues as special projects.
Language Access & Education
Student Multiethnic Action Research Teams (S.M.A.R.T.)
The D.C. Language Access Coalition has started a new education organizing initiative for immigrant families and children enrolled in D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) and public charter schools! SMART is a project that aims to educate and empower LEP youth to advocate for their rights under the Language Access Act and access the vital information and services necessary to be active participants in their own educations.
Language Access & Healthcare
Healthcare Education and Organizing
The D.C. Language Access Coalition is working under funding from the Consumer Health Foundation on an initiative to address language access barriers in the District’s hospitals and clinics. The Coalition trains community volunteers to gather stories from limited and non-English proficient community members about their experiences seeking access to primary care from providers in the District. The Coalition’s health organizers work to create spaces for community members to identify pertinent issues in language access and health care, develop their leadership skills, and engage providers and the District government in direct advocacy and action around health care issues. In addition, the Coalition’s Health Committee works directly with District Agencies, providers, and other players to advocate for language access in primary health care.
Language Access & Housing
D.C. Housing Authority
The D.C. Housing Authority manages and supplies affordable housing to D.C. residents especially those of low to moderate income. The Coalition is working with the D.C. Housing Authority to ensure that all LEP populations have access to affordable housing.
Language Access & Legal Committee
Complaint Process
The D.C. Language Access Coalition is embarking on an initiative to gather complaints from limited-English and non-English proficient immigrants who have tried and failed to gain access to services from the D.C. Department of Human Services (DHS) and other D.C. government agencies named in the D.C. Language Access Act of 2004. The documentation of complaints will show these agencies as well as City Councilmembers that language access implementation still needs to be improved to make public services more accessible.
BLAPs/Regs/Amendments
The Coalition reviews each covered agency’s Biennial Language Access Plan (BLAPs) and provides feedback via the D.C. Office of Human Rights (OHR). The Coalition also contributes to the formulation of regulations (Regs) issued by the OHR which serve as rules specifying how the Language Access Act should be implemented. In addition, we are drafting amendments that would allow for greater accountability mechanisms under the Act.
Language Access & Emergency Management
MPD Advisory Group
The Coalition is working with the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department to improve limited English proficient immigrants’ access to the department’s services.
Special Projects
Policy Advocacy
The Coalition coordinates and delivers testimony on language access compliance at the City Council’s budget and oversight hearings and engages individual D.C. agencies throughout the year to help them identify gaps in language access and develop solutions to meeting the needs of limited and non-English proficient clients and beneficiaries through stronger internal policies. The Coalition recently developed a set of policy and compliance priorities for the improvement of language access in seven areas – which can be found here <. In addition, the Coalition reviews the internal language access policies of D.C. government agencies by providing feedback on agencies biennial language access plans (BLAPs).
Language Access testimonies at FY2010 Oversight Hearing
Compliance Reports
WMATA – Access for All
Although Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) does not fall under the scope of the Language Access Act, the Coalition supplies the Authority with feedback to its Language Access Plan so that it can better achieve access for limited English proficient Metro users. In addition, it is currently working to assure that Metro Employees are afforded cultural competency and sensitivity trainings.
Wah Luck House - Tenant Organizing and Education
In April 2008, the Coalition was informed of the potential sale of the Wah Luck House, a landmark of D.C.'s Chinatown that provides 153 affordable housing units to Asian senior citizens. The Coalition is collaborating with the Asian Service Center, the APALRC, OAPIA, One DC, and Housing Counseling Services to ensure that all Wah Luck tenants are informed of their rights and options given the potential sale and that this information is linguistically and culturally appropriate.
