Effective communication is essential to a functioning society. Language barriers prevent millions of people from fully participating in civic life and make it harder for police officers, healthcare providers, and emergency responders to do their jobs effectively. When people can communicate clearly, everyone benefits—from faster care in emergencies to stronger public trust and safer communities.
The National Coalition for Language Access unites diverse organizations and individuals committed to promoting services that support people who speak limited English, who are Deaf, Deafblind or hard-of-hearing to get access to vital services. Learn more at ncfla.org.
We are collecting stories to share about how language barriers impact people's lives and how tearing down these barriers can make a difference.
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Many people who speak only English don’t realize the difference that having access to a qualified interpreter can make in the life of a person who speaks limited English, who are Deaf, Deafblind or hard-of-hearing. Let’s help them understand.
Our goal is to share these stories with media outlets and other advocates in order to help people understand how language services can impact individual lives and our communities.
Do you speak limited English? Are you Deaf, Deafblind or hard-of-hearing? Do you provide services to people who speak limited English or who are Deaf or Deafblind? Tell us your story. We want to hear how having an interpreter (or not) has impacted you.
Language access helps people who speak limited English or are Deaf, Deafblind or hard of hearing and the English speakers who serve them to communicate with each other.
It helps the professionals in our community who provide public services, like first responders, teachers, and health care workers, do their jobs more effectively. For example, if healthcare providers cannot get a clear medical history from a patient, they are forced to prescribe more tests, and they run the risk of misdiagnosis or creating inappropriate treatment plans. In schools, family engagement plays an essential role in a child’s educational outcomes. When teachers and parents can communicate, they can work together for the child’s benefit.
Language access is also crucial for those who speak limited English, or are Deaf, Deafblind or hard of hearing. If they can’t communicate with their doctors, patients suffer and can even die, people cannot get access to the justice system, and parents cannot participate in their child’s education. Language access guarantees that everyone has the chance to participate fully in public life.
Do you speak limited English, or are you Deaf, Deafblind or hard-of hearing? Do you know someone who speaks limited English or is Deaf, Deafblind or hard-of-hearing? Do you have patients or clients with these communication needs?
This website is a place for you to tell the story.
- Maybe you worked with an interpreter who made a big difference in how well you could access or provide services. What did that person do? How did it impact you and the person you were trying to communicate with?
- Maybe you were a child who had to interpret for your parents at school, at the doctor’s office or with the police. How did that feel? How does it affect you today?
- Maybe you were told to “bring your own interpreter” or that a hospital or school didn’t have to provide you with an interpreter. What happened? What was the outcome?
- Maybe you know of a patient or client who wasn’t provided with an interpreter. How did they communicate? Or couldn’t they?
Let those responsible for making the rules know about the real-life impact of having language access – or not.
Make sure that your voice is heard so that your story can make a difference.
We are a nation of many languages and many cultures! Let’s help people understand how we all benefit when we can all access public services, regardless of the language we speak.
Everybody who shares a story will be made anonymous on our website. We will remove all names, locations, and identifying information.
These stories will be published on our website. They may be used by journalists reporting on changes to language access that are happening today. They may be used by advocates who are educating the public or helping to change public policy. They may be used by healthcare/legal/educational professionals who are pushing for better language access in hospitals, courts and schools. As such, they could be shared in newspapers, in public testimony or in reports.
Once you submit your story, we’ll add it to the website. If you change your mind about sharing your story, we will remove it from the website. We cannot, however, do anything about the people who have already read or used your story.
Send us messages, ask questions, or share your thoughts. We value your input and look forward to hearing from you!
You can expect a response within 24 hours. Stay tuned for some fantastic news!
