the Alabama Language Access Coalition
ALAC, formerly the Alabama Language Access Project (ALAP) is dedicated to strengthening awareness and implementation of language access policy in Alabama to protect and advance civil rights. The project uses policy education, advocacy, training, and resources to help organizations and governments adhere to national best practices. ALAC seeks equal access to resources and opportunities for immigrants regardless of their limited English proficiency. Current active partners: HICA, AshaKiran, Southern Poverty of Law Center, ACADV, Family Sunshine Center, Cheaha Head Start, Jefferson CPC, Alabama Arise, Legal Services Alabama, M&N Languages, Free-lance Interpreters
The Need for Language Access in the Deep South
Alabama, like many states in the Deep South, have a growing LEP (Limited English Proficient) population, but very little infrastructure available to support this population. There is a huge gap between the federally mandated standards for provision of language services and the availability of skilled and experienced interpreters. The needs clearly exist in the public sector, but also for local and regional businesses that enjoy LEP customers or employees.
The public and the private sectors often utilize children, friends, family, and bilingual volunteers or staff who are not trained as interpreters to perform interpretation tasks, and this is generally the only solution in situations where trained interpreters are not available for basic communications. This pattern can create errors in miscommunication which can result in liability issues at best and life-threatening situations at worst.
Very few resources exist in the Deep South for initial training and continuing education for interpreters, and many programs around the country are bachelors or master’s degree programs that require a considerable amount of time and money to complete. As a result, qualified professional interpreters are few and far between in the Deep South, while the need in the public and private sectors continues to grow.
Public Sector
In the public sector, which includes hospitals, health centers, school systems, jails, courts, social services, and other institutions, there is a consistent need for qualified interpreters. In fact, Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 mandates that any institution that receives federal funding must provide appropriate language services to prevent discrimination against non-English speakers. The federal government and Joint Commission (the accreditation body for hospitals) began to enforce these laws more rigorously in 2010 and are now requiring many institutions to create a language access plan which usually includes the use of interpreters and written translation of documents.
Private Sector
In the private sector, there is also a significant need for better communication between employers and their workers in industries such as manufacturing, construction, landscaping, restaurants, insurance underwriters, attorneys, real estate brokers and property management companies, and others. The use of trained interpreters increases efficiency, reduces the likelihood of accidents on the job, and creates better communication and understanding within the workforce. Many companies from countries such as Korea, Japan, Germany, China, and others have located in Alabama and their employees and family also need access to interpreters.
Goals of the Alabama Language Access Project are to:
● Establish a network of organizations and individuals who are working to increase language access in Alabama
● Create a central point of contact and clearinghouse of information on language access issues in the state
● Educate stakeholders in Alabama, including providers, interpreters and translators, advocates, and the Limited English Proficient population, on the importance of language access and relevant laws and regulations
● Build our capacity in Alabama to serve the Limited English Proficient population by increasing access to training for professional interpreters and translators in medical, legal, and community interpreting
● Research and advocate for tools to improve and institutionalize language access procedures, such as legislation, language access plans, and federal complaints
The Alabama Language Access Project meets monthly and we invite any individual or organization who is working on language access issues in Alabama to join us.
Please contact us for more information at info@hicaalabama.org
Resources
¡HICA!'s Language Access Toolkit
Enhancing Access for Individuals with LEP Toolkit
Equity Policies Toolkit for School Boards
NPNA Language Access Working Group Toolkit
Advancing Language Access through State-Level Civil Rights Laws - Migration Policy Institute Practitioner's Corner
Expanding Health Care Access for Individuals with Limited English Proficiency - National Immigration Law Center
Mass Speaks Language Access & Inclusion Act
Press Release- Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Conozca y entienda sus derechos / Know & Understand Your Rights
Recurso proporcionado por ITAA & M&N Language Services / Resource provided by ITAA & M&N Language Services
Justice Department Releases Language Access Plan to Expand Access to Department Resources and Programs
Department of Justice Language Access Plan
Department of Justice Civil Rights Division State Courts Letter
Language Access Plan Tools:
Family Language Access Planning and Implementing
https://nationallatinonetwork.org/lep-toolkit-your-plan
Multiple resources: LEP.gov
Language Identification Flash Cards
Sample Language Access Plans:
Police:
Overcoming Language Barriers: Solutions for Law Enforcement
San Jose Police Department: Language Access Plan
New York Police Department: NYPD Language Access Plan
Courts:
National Latino Network Increasing Language Access in the Court Tool Kit
Language Access Planning and Technical Assistance for Courts
National Center for State Courts
Tennessee Spoken and Written Language Assistance Plan
Shelters:
Model Protocol: Services for LEP Immigrant and Refugee Victims of Domestic Violence
Department of Human Resources:
New York DHR Language Access for Individuals with Limited English Proficiency
Schools:
New York City Department of Education
Health Care Providers:
Better Communication, Better Care: Provider Tools to Care for Diverse Populations
Language Access Plan for New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation
Department of Corrections:
Sample Planning Tool from LEP.gov
New York City Department of Corrections Language Access Plan
Working with an Interpreter Best Practices
Is your interpreter qualified? Questions to ask
Immigrant Community Educational Resources
Language Access: What are your rights? (English)
Know Your Rights Beneficiary Brochures Available in Various Languages
Your Right to an Interpreter Poster Editable
Finding an Interpreter or Translator
Interpreter and Translator Databases
Alabama Administrative Office of the Courts:
Alabama Foreign Language Court Interpreter Registry maintains a list of registered interpreters by various languages. Not all of the interpreters listed are necessarily qualified or certified. While listed as court interpreters, these individuals may be available for other interpreting positions.
American Translators Association Online Directory: http://www.atanet.org/onlinedirectories/individuals_tabs.php
Registry of Certified Medical Interpreters: http://www.certifiedmedicalinterpreters.org/registry
Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters: http://www.cchicertification.org/
Interpreters and Translators Association of Alabama (ITAA): http://itaalabama.com/
Local Agency Resources
Alamex: http://alamexllc.com/
Foreign Language Services: http://www.flstranslation.com/
Deep South Language Services: http://deepsouthlanguage.com/
M&N Language Services: www.mnlanguageservices.com
Phone Interpretation Resources
There are many national companies that offer phone interpretation in many languages, including some indigenous languages. Typically, an organization can set up an account as either pay-as-you-go or with a monthly fee. Here are some examples:
Language Line: http://www.languageline.com
Maya Interpreters: http://www.mayainterpreters.com/
Optimal Phone Interpreters: http://callopi.com/languages
Pacific Interpreters: http://www.pacificinterpreters.com
World Language Access: http://worldlanguageaccess.com/index.html
Other Resources
Department of Justice Language Access and Planning Tool: https://lep.gov/resources/2011_Language_Access_Assessment_and_Planning_Tool.pdf
Limited English Proficiency (LEP), A Federal Interagency Website: https://www.lep.gov/
Interpretation Technical Assistance and Resource Center: http://www.api-gbv.org/organizaing/interpretation.pdf
NEWS:
ALAP Press Release on DHR Language Access Settlement with the Federal Civil Rights Office 11/2/2017