We work with government agencies to assess policies and offer input to center LEP individuals in language access solutions. WASCLA provides comments on Federal, State, and Local policies that impact communications.
We monitor language access issues and unjust practices and offer policy remedies. For example, during recent Central Washington wildfires, there was no coordinated plan for communicating with residents in languages other than English. With partners, we promoted ways to meet immediate and long-term needs, resulting in legislation requiring concrete actions on language access. This work is ongoing, and more advocacy is needed, beyond monitoring implementation efforts.
Held year-round, these calls offer a space to discuss current and time-sensitive concerns. This year, a continuing education completion deadline put our state’s medical interpreter pool at risk due to an expected mass decertification that would happen if they didn’t meet the deadline. WASCLA hosted calls to raise awareness, invited state agencies to discuss plans, and advocated for ways to minimize harm to LEP people needing healthcare services. Our leadership led to steps allowing more opportunities for interpreters to be reinstated and prevent service interruption.
Now in its 13th year, WASCLA holds an annual summit with statewide partners to share best practices, bring attention to ongoing barriers, and develop alliances to increase access. Our Summits have reached over 1,800 participants.
WASCLA created a free directory as a resource to help link entities needing language services with interpreters and translators. The Directory is the only resource that lists languages of lesser diffusion and non-credentialed languages, which helps increase access.
Standing committees on Education, Healthcare, and Emergency management focus year-round on language service access issues and work for solutions, such as issue advocacy and creation of resources in 30 languages, like the “I Speak” cards and Know Your Rights flyers for healthcare.