Justice Speaks 2010 Survey: Courthouse Accessibility for Limited English Proficient New Yorkers

In April 2010, Justice Speaks, a New York State based initiative comprised of
attorneys, advocates, and interpreters aimed at ensuring
language access in the justice system, conducted a survey of Clerks’ Offices in courthouses around New York City to assess compliance with language access mandates.  Although the New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA)’s language access policies serve as a model around the country, the Justice Speaks survey results demonstrate that there are still many improvements to be made to ensure that OCA routinely provides language services outside of the courtroom when limited English proficient (LEP) litigants seek services.  

Click here to read the report (PDF). 

Some key findings include the common use of family members or friends
to interpret, a practice of asking LEP individuals to return on a later
date to receive interpreter services, a lack of translated materials in
languages other than Spanish, and lack of signage in many courthouses
to notify LEP individuals their right to language services.  In
addition to outlining key findings, Justice Speaks makes several
specific recommendations to OCA to improve language services for LEP
litigants accessing the Clerks’ Offices. 

Legal Services NYC's Language Access Project was established in 2007 in response to the unprecedented growth in the size and diversity of
New York City’s immigrant population. Its priorities are to increase our
capacity to serve LEP clients and to
engage in legal advocacy challenging the language barriers that LEP
clients face in getting benefits, services and access to justice. Read more about the Language Advocacy Project by clicking here.