The Language Access Project responds to feedback from the program’s first community roundtable discussion held in March 2015 and represents a preliminary assessment of local agency compliance with civil rights obligations.
Language access refers to the language barriers that limit Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals access to government services that do not provide interpretative services or translated materials.
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 mandates that no person shall be discriminated against based on their nation of origin — which includes a person’s inability to speak English. Any agency that receives any form of government funding must comply or risk a Department of Justice investigation and possible revocation of funds.
The Language Access Project has focused on agencies providing educational, health, housing, law enforcement, community center and legal-related services to the local immigrant, noncitizen and refugee community. By identifying which agencies are not compliant with Title VI, the HRAP can assist service providers in updating their existing plans and procedures — which in turn will result in the Louisville immigrant, noncitizen and refugee community having better access to much-needed resources.
Read the full report, completed in August 2017.