Breaking Barriers with Language Access: Strengthening SART Services

By Madeline Gonser

Welcome to the Rural Realities Blog! This post focuses on the importance of language access in ensuring that all victims/survivors, including those with limited English proficiency (LEP), receive essential services. Effective communication is critical for victims/survivors to understand their rights, access medical care, participate in legal processes, and receive the support they need.

Why Language Access Matters

• Empowers Survivors: Enables victims/survivors to express needs, concerns, and experiences accurately.
• Builds Trust: Creates a safe and supportive environment for victims/survivors to seek help.
• Ensures Equity: Reduces barriers to medical, legal, and counseling services.
• Respects Diversity: Affirms victims’/survivors’ cultural identities and ensures inclusivity.

Legal Foundations: Title VI and Executive Order 13166

Language access is required by law.  Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in programs receiving federal funding. Over time, courts interpreted this provision to include language access.

Recognizing the ongoing need for guidance, Executive Order 13166 was issued in 2000. It directed federal agencies and recipients of federal funds to take reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to LEP individuals. Key provisions of the executive order include:

• Language Access Planning: Agencies must develop strategies to ensure LEP individuals can access services.
• Language Assistance Services: Services like interpretation and translation are required to support effective communication.
• Training and Outreach: Agencies must train staff and conduct outreach to ensure LEP communities are aware of available resources.

These policies ensure language barriers do not prevent survivors from accessing critical care and justice.

Developing a Language Access Plan

A language access plan ensures that victims/survivors can access services without language barriers. It involves identifying community language needs, establishing protocols for interpretation and translation, and ensuring outreach materials are culturally appropriate. Collaboration and consistent communication among SART members are key throughout the process. Here are sections your SART could include in a language access plan:

• Needs Assessment and Goal Setting begins with evaluating community demographics and engaging with organizations to understand language barriers.
• Language Protocols outline procedures for accessing interpreters and translation services. Interpreters should be available at critical points, including medical exams and legal consultations, with emergency protocols for immediate support.
• Notice and Outreach ensures visibility of services through public displays, “I Speak” cards, and multilingual resources. Outreach materials should be culturally relevant to resonate with the community.
• Training equips all team members with skills in language access and cultural competency.
• Evaluation and Feedback involve regular assessments of language services and gathering input from victims/survivors to make improvements.

A well-developed language access plan ensures victims/survivors receive equitable, inclusive, and effective care, fostering trust and accessibility within the community.

Sustaining Language Access Efforts

Implementing language access is not a one-time effort—it requires ongoing commitment.

To sustain these efforts, SARTs can:

• Regularly update language access plans to reflect demographic changes.
• Provide continuous training on trauma-informed care and cultural competency.
• Celebrate successes and share best practices with other teams.

Ultimately, language access is about ensuring that every victim/survivor can access the care and support they need in their preferred language. By embracing language access, SARTs promote inclusivity, equity, and justice for all victims/survivors.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss language access further, please contact us at [email protected].

This project was supported by Grant No. 15JOVW-22-GK-04024-RURA awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.