Title VI Language Access Conference 2016
Title VI Language Access Conference
Learn to successfully represent clients with limited English proficiency by advocating for their language access rights
In Massachusetts, 22% of the population speaks a language other than English at home, and identifies as Limited English Proficient (LEP). An LEP individual has a limited ability to read, write, speak, and understand English. LEP persons have the right to meaningful language access in all federally and state funded programs. The reality, however, is that most LEP persons often struggle to maintain their government benefits, housing, education, civil and due process rights because of the lack of qualified interpreters or translated documents. LEP clients then turn to lawyers for assistance who may not recognize situations where there was no language access, or to know how to use language access laws as a defense.
MCLE is pleased to bring you its first Title VI Language Access Conference for lawyers and community advocates. The Conference provides the legal training necessary to understand the rights of LEP and Deaf/HH persons. It begins with training on how Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other laws protect LEP individuals against national origin discrimination due to limited English proficiency. The faculty discusses both federal and Massachusetts’s law for many legal areas, including education, benefits, housing, and unemployment insurance. A lawyer from the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice in Washington, DC discusses in detail due process rights, civil rights, and court access rights for LEP persons, and how to preserve rights when an individuals is not provided language access. The program also includes a session on litigation strategies for language access cases, and a session discussing what should be included in language access settlements and the implementation of language access plans.
Don’t miss this opportunity to ensure that you’re effectively representing all of your clients!
| Agenda | ||
|
9:30 A.M. - 9:45 A.M. Welcome and Introduction |
||
|
9:45 A.M. - 10:15 A.M. Overview of Title VI |
||
|
10:15 A.M. - 11:45 A.M. Education, Benefits and Housing—The Law and Specific Language Access Requirements |
||
|
11:45 A.M. - 12:45 P.M. Lunch (on your own) |
||
|
12:45 P.M. - 1:30 P.M. Civil Rights and the Justice System |
||
|
1:30 P.M. - 2:15 P.M. Language Access Litigation Strategies |
||
|
2:15 P.M. - 3:00 P.M. Implementation of Language Access Plans in Federal and State Funded Programs |
||
|
CART Services will be available for the Conference. |
||
| Faculty | ||
| • | Tere Ramos, Esq., Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, Boston, Chair | |
| • | Marisa de la Paz, Department of Workforce Development, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston | |
| • | Brian J. Flynn, Esq., Greater Boston Legal Services, Boston | |
| • | Linda L. Landry, Esq., Disability Law Center, Inc., Boston | |
| • | Judith Liben, Esq., Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, Boston | |
| • | Naomi A. Meyer, Esq., Greater Boston Legal Services, Boston | |
| • | Michael C. Mulé, Esq., U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Washington | |
| • | Caitlin Parton, Esq., Disability Law Center, Inc., Boston | |