Language access is a term that describes all of the public services available to everyone with a Limited English Proficiency (LEP). It is a practice of designing society so that everyone in any community, is able to access the same information; regardless of language fluency or handicap. It describes all of the services and all of the government agencies that help people overcome language barriers. According to the Census Bureau, over 21% of United States residents- or 65 million people- report speaking a language other than English at home. Furthermore, approximately 8.6% or 33 million people report having a Limited English Proficiency (LEP). But when we talk about concepts like language access, or large numbers like 30 or even 60 million, the average person may struggle to understand what that means. And it is fair to assume that they also struggle to understand how those big concepts apply to them, specifically.
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Language Access & Its Impact In A Democratic Society
