Language Assistance Policy for Limited English Proficient (LEP) Individuals and Individuals with Hearing or Visual Impairments

Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York - 030176

Abstract Number: 030176

October 2003

The Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York (LASMNY) adopted the "Language Assistance Policy for Limited English Proficient (LEP) Individuals and Individuals with Hearing or Visual Impairments" to ensure that LASMNY's clients, irrespective of English language ability or hearing or visual impairments, can communicate with staff and receive high quality legal assistance. LASMNY implemented this policy in 2002 and provided training to all staff members to ensure they are familiar with the policy, how to access phone based translator services, and how to identify situations when interpretation services are needed. LASMNY's policy includes sections devoted to oral language interpretation as well as the translations of written materials. These sections detail the steps that will be taken to ensure clients can receive services through the use of interpreters and the protocols LASMNY will follow to notify clients about their right to receive materials and services in their own language.

In addition to making its services accessible to the clients with LEP and hearing and visual impairments, LASMNY also gives presentations to local organizations about these issues and how to ensure a program's services are accessible to its clients. LASMNY has worked with the Multicultural Association of Medical Interpreters (MAMI), a non-profit organization, that provides medical interpreter training and services to hospitals. This organization offers an eight week intensive course for medical interpreters. LASMNY has worked with them to develop a 35 hour legal interpretation class thereby providing a local resource of qualified interpreters knowledgeable of legal terminology. Access the full policy below as a PDF document.

Contact Information:

Cindy Domingue-Hendrickson
Staff Attorney/Grant Writer
Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York
255 Genesee Street, 2nd Floor
Utica, NY 13501
Phone: (315) 732-2131
Fax: (315) 732-3202
Email

Additional Information:

• Language Assistance Policy for Limited English Proficient (LEP) Individuals and Individuals with Hearing or Visual Impairments, 2002. (86kb, PDF)

• LASMNY's Multilingual Cards Enclosed with Client Correspondences Notifying Clients of the Availablity of Free Translator Services (152kb, PDF)

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