Thank you for celebrating Language Access Month with me this April! The Language Access Act (LAA) was passed on April 21, 2004. I had the privilege of witnessing the inception and the long-term impact of LAA, one of the District of Columbia’s most equitable and inclusive pieces of legislation. As part of Mayor Bowser’s work towards a diverse, equitable, and inclusive government, the Act affords the District’s Limited English Proficient (LEP) and Non-English Proficient (NEP) population a pathway to interface with the District government and its life-impacting public services.
OHR’s Language Access Program has been in the forefront of serving as the liaison between stakeholders and the DC government to support the needs of the under-represented LEP/NEP population. The Program enables DC residents, workers, and visitors to receive equivalent information and services from the DC government, regardless of what language they speak. The Program’s scope includes all District agencies that come into contact with the public, and it provides best practices and technical supports to these agencies in the field of translation and interpretation services to best serve customers who are LEP/NEP. Our commitment and support have strengthened the implementation of language access plans, improved and raised awareness of the importance of language access as a civil right that empowers the voiceless community --the same community that keeps the spirit of our city vibrant.
