Proficient Asians and Pacific Islanders Asian Pacific American Legal Center
Expanding Legal Services: Serving Limited English - 040002
Abstract Number: 040002
January 2004
The Asian Pacific American Legal Center published "Expanding Legal Services: Serving Limited English Proficient Asians and Pacific Islanders" to explore and highlight approaches that legal services programs are taking to overcome linguistic and cultural barriers to delivering legal services to low-income, limited English proficient (LEP) Asian and Pacific Islander (API) clients. The report begins by discussing recent demographic changes in the U.S. and the challenges experienced by legal services providers as they work to address the legal needs of these LEP clients. In doing so, the report profiles five model programs that have been successful in overcoming many formidable delivery barriers and improving access to justice for LEP API clients. In addition, the report's appendices provides further background information on these projects such as sample scripts and case acceptance criteria as well as an informative piece on the potential successes and problems that may be encountered in using technology to serve low-income LEP API clients. The report is divided into the following sections:
Section I: Rapid Growth of API Communities Section II: Bridging Cultural Divides - Challenges in Serving API Communities Section III: A Report on Findings - Successful Approaches from Forerunners Section IV: Ongoing Challenges in Serving API Clients Section V: Asian Legal Language Intake Project Section VI: Profiles of Other Model Programs Section VII: Conclusion
Access the full report as a PDF document on APALC's website through the link below.
Contact Information:
Rebecca Shea Asian Pacific American Legal Center 1145 Wilshire Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90017 Phone: (213) 241-0228 Fax: (213) 977-7595 Email www.apalc.org
LSC:
America's Partner for Equal Justice 