Overview
This toolkit was designed to showcase the connection between language access, sexual assault, and other forms of harm, provide state-specific information on linguistic demographics, and provide resources for increasing accessibility for all. Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 requires that all agencies that receive federal funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services must take adequate steps to ensure that people with limited English proficiency (LEP) receive the language assistance necessary to allow them meaningful access to services, free of charge. In addition to the other forthcoming resource modules featured in this years Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) campaign, we want to get the conversation started by spotlighting how interconnected language access is in the movement to end sexual violence.
An awareness of language access considers how to accommodate, how to provide information and services to, and how to engage individuals who are non-English speaking, are LEP, low-literacy, are deaf, hard of hearing, visually impaired, or who have difficulty communicating or being understood by others. Providing language access means having tangible resources, such as outlined accessibility steps for interpretive services, translated materials, and training on cultural proficiency. This movement to expand language access is part and parcel of the larger commitment to removing all barriers to sexual violence prevention. As such, if we are not prioritizing language access in every facet of our work, then we are not carrying forward the mission of ending all forms of oppression.
This toolkit looks at the spectrum of language access inclusion and promotes new ways of thinking to encourage the removal of language accessibility barriers. It also provides resources and statistics on the languages and modes of communication in every state. Each section includes exercises or recommended activities organizations can complete to achieve a deeper engagement with the key takeaways of language access support.
Language Access by State
