NLADA 2008: Language Access and Technology: Reaching Limited English Proficient Clients with...
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Transcript of NLADA 2008: Language Access and Technology: Reaching Limited English Proficient Clients with...
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Language Access and TechnologyReaching Limited English Proficient Clients with Technology Resources2008 NLADA Conference
Liz Keith, Pro Bono NetTillie Lacayo, Legal Services CorporationLeah Margulies, LawHelp.org/NY / City Bar Justice CenterMichael Mule, Empire Justice Center
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Goals
How can technology and statewide websites help create a language access-oriented delivery system?
How can technology assist self-represented LEP users in pursuing and obtaining their language access rights?
What are considerations for reaching LEP users with technology resources?
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Road Map
LEP 101 / Title VI overview LEP Technology in Legal Aid Spotlight on LawHelp.org/NY Considerations for Reaching LEP
Communities with Technology
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Percentage of People 5 Years and Over Who
Speak English Less Than 'Very Well': 2006
United States: Estimate: 8.7 Percent, Margin of Error: +/-0.1 Percent Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2006 American Community Survey
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Strong correlation between LEP rates and poverty Two-thirds of LEP children’s incomes are below the free and
reduced price school lunch threshold California
19.4% of persons who speak Spanish at home live in poverty
Los Angeles county Cambodians: 56% LEP, 40% poverty Hmong: 61% LEP, 53% poverty
Overall California: 20% LEP, 14% poverty
Sources:
The Urban Institute, The New Demography of America’s SchoolsAsian Pacific American Legal Center, Expanding Legal Services: Serving Limited English Proficient Asians and Pacific Islanders
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How can technology help?
Assessing LEP needs Designing user-centered services Delivering and expanding language access
services Providing crucial resources to LEP community
Substantive legal information Information about the legal system and language
access rights Other ways?
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LEP 101 and Title VI OverviewMichael Mule
Empire Justice Center
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Language Access Terms Language access- refers to the rights of Limited
English Proficient (LEP) individuals to receive meaningful access to federally funded programs, benefits, and services
LEP- individuals who do not speak English as their primary language and have a limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English
Meaningful Access- language assistance that results in accurate, timely, and effective communication at no cost to the LEP individual
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Legal Frameworko Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
“No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” 42 U.S.C. § 2000d
o National Origin Discrimination- discrimination against an individual because of the language they speak or their ancestry. Lau v. Nichols (1974)
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Title VI RegulationsDOJ Title VI Implementing Regulations “A recipient…may not, directly or through contractual
or other arrangements, utilize criteria or methods of administration which have the effect of subjecting individuals to discrimination because of their…national origin. 28 C.F.R. § 42.104(b)(2)
“Where a significant number or proportion of the population … needs service or information in a language other than English in order effectively to be informed of or to participate in the program, the recipient shall take reasonable steps…to provide information in appropriate languages to such persons.” 28 C.F.R. § 42.405(d)(1)
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EO 13166 and DOJ Guidanceo Executive Order 13166 (2000)
o Prohibits recipients of federal financial assistance from discriminating based on national origin by, among other things, failing to provide meaningful access to LEP individuals
o Department of Justice (DOJ) was given the authority to provide federal agencies guidance on these obligations
o DOJ Guidance o A model for other Federal agencies to draft for recipients of
Federal funding (recipients)o Described the language service obligations of recipients o Revised in 2002
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Four Factor Testo To determine meaningful access, the DOJ
Guidance uses a four-factor analysis:
1. The Number or Proportion of LEP Individuals
2. Frequency of Contact with the Program
3. Nature and Importance of the Program
4. Resources Available
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LEP and Technology in Legal Aid Tillie Lacayo
Legal Services Corporation
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LEP ConceptsTechnologies that enhance legal services accessfor limited English proficient populations Radio
PSAs Taped Q & A Programs Live interviews
T.V. – same as radio, to the extent economically feasible
Internet Websites, statewide legal services websites,
program websites, LawHelp websites, etc. Other: YouTube (videos), etc.
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LSC Requirements and LSC Program Letter 04-2
LSC Program Letter 04-2, “Services to Client Eligible Individuals with Limited English Proficiency”
Provides a context and guidance for LSC-funded programs with eligible individuals in their service area who are persons with limited English proficiency.
Aims to ensure access to justice for communities of potentially eligible clients who do not speak English proficiently
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What does a LEP policy include? Assessment of Language Needs (of the
client population) Staffing Training Interpreters/Translators Translation of Documents Outreach Oversight
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LEP Plan Website-Related Issues Translation/Interpretation Services
Obtaining competent interpretation and translation services for each of the major languages in the program’s service area
Translation of Documents translation of all vital program documents in the LEP target
languages for those groups constituting five percent of the client population
Outreach strategies for disseminating information about the
availability of bilingual staff or free interpreters/translation revising and translating a program’s community outreach
materials into appropriate languages
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Guidance for prioritizing translation of website content.1. Translated Introductory Page Home page translation into the targeted language(s).
Providing basic information about the legal services program such as a description of the program, what services the program provides, the client population served, how to contact the program (office location(s), telephone numbers, intake access information, etc.)
If the introductory page is not the same as the home page, make certain that there is an easy way to get to the introductory page(s) in the targeted language(s).
For non-target languages, include a message that the legal services program will provide interpretation in the applicant’s language
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Guidance for prioritizing translation of website content.2. A “click here for” button with a drop-down menu - A
button on the home page that indicates that persons who speak the particular language should “click here” for information in a particular language. The visitor to the website is then able to go directly to website content in their native language [CAVEAT: This should only exist for places where there is actual content in the language.]
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Guidance for prioritizing translation of website content.3. Resource information concerning interpretation
services available in the program’s service area for the target language group(s).
4. Community Education materials - Educational materials (brochures, etc.) in the targeted language(s) providing information in a variety of substantive law areas of interest to the client community. [Caveat: These materials should be based on the needs of and utility to the target client population.]
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Guidance for prioritizing translation of website content.5. Audio files or graphics (cartoons, diagrams, etc.) –
For communities with short histories of literacy
6. Video presentations – Videos in the target language(s) to reach persons of limited English proficiency who are not literate in their native language. [Caveat: If done properly and well, they can be expensive.]
7. Links – Links to other websites with relevant legal information content in other languages.
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LEP Related Technology Initiative Grants (TIG) projectsThe TIG Application Process: Begins with notice from LSC requesting submission of
Letter of Intent (LOI). Applicants are directed to http://www.tig.lsc.gov for more information. LOI is submitted online.
Program’s submitting LOIs found to be promising are invited to submit a TIG application to LSC.
A review panel is convened to discuss the TIG applications submitted.
Recommendations are made to LSC’s Executive Office. Funding decisions are made by the Executive Office.
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LEP Related Technology Initiative Grants (TIG) projects Some TIGS funded by LSC directed toward
increasing language access to the limited English proficient population:
Early TIG projects provided kiosks on Indian Reservations in AZ, NM and UT in Navajo and Hopi.
Statewide website TIGs – Many of which have non-English content
LiveHelp and LiveHelp replications – Provides on-line assistance via chat. [A TIG awarded this year to LSNYC aims to enhance LiveHelp with a special focus on the needs of Spanish speakers.]
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LEP Related Technology Initiative Grants (TIG) projects Court collaborations are emphasized. The TIG categories:
Website – New and continuing funding for statewide website initiatives.
Replication – For the replication of successful TIG projects. The key component of a successful application in the Replication category is the balance between effective, simplified replication and a reduced cost of implementation. Applicants should look to previous successful TIG projects and determine how they can be replicated at a substantially reduced cost from the original project.
Open Category - Designated for new, innovative ideas. For using technology in legal services. LSC will consider any idea as long as the purpose of the proposal is to expand the use of technology that integrates, manages, communicates, and otherwise improves the quality of the delivery of legal services to eligible clients
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Spotlight on LawHelp.org/NYLeah Margulies
LawHelp.org/NY / City Bar Justice Center
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The LiveHelp Concept
Provides virtual, live assistance for Web site visitors
Helps visitors find information and referrals
“Navigators” can be located anywhere
Help requests can be routed by language, substantive area or other need
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Other technologies to watch
Interactive Forms A2J
NPADO Spanish interface
Idaho – Formas Interactivas
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Other technologies to watch
Video conferencing Multimedia content (audio and video) Cell phones Intake hotlines and phone menus Others?
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Considerations for reaching LEP communities Online resources should not exist in isolation
as a delivery system Will most benefit the target community when
they are supported and promoted by an access-oriented delivery system
Cultivate broad partnership networks - Self-help centers - Health clinics- Law libraries - Law schools- Social service providers - Local media outlets
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Resources www.lep.gov
Empire Justice Center Language Access Resource Center (LARC)http://onlineresources.wnylc.net/pb/orcdocs/language_access.asp
N-LAAN – probono.net/nlaan
Asian Pacific American Legal Center, Expanding Legal Services: Serving Limited English Proficient Asians and Pacific Islanders
SelfHelpSupport.org LEP resourceshttp://www.selfhelpsupport.org/link.cfm?11244
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Resources
Serving Non-English Speakers in the Virginia Court Systemhttp://www.courts.state.va.us/interpreters/guidelines.pdf
NCSC LEP Resource Guide Limited English Proficiency Guide (LEP) Resource Guide
www.healthlaw.org – National Health Law Program library contains materials related to language access and health care