#USA #Washington, D.C. #Civil Rights #U.S. Commission #Limited English Proficiency

Upcoming Public Briefing by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

On March 21, 2025, a significant public briefing will take place in Washington, D.C., organized by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. This briefing will focus on the challenges that individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) face when accessing government services and healthcare. As language barriers persist, the Commission aims to examine the current landscape of language access services provided by government entities and federally funded organizations, to identify challenges and best practices for enhancing these essential services.

Chairwoman Rochelle M. Garza stated, "The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is committed to ensuring that all individuals have access to the resources they need for a better life. Millions of Americans rely on government services and federally funded programs, yet too many face hurdles simply because English is not their primary language. This briefing will help highlight actionable solutions and reaffirm our commitment to breaking down language barriers to ensure no one is excluded from vital services."

Approximately 25.7 million Americans, which equates to about 8% of the U.S. population aged five and older, are classified as Limited English Proficient. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 safeguards the rights of these individuals, while longstanding federal guidelines ensure that all Americans, including LEP individuals, have equitable access to government services and federally funded programs. Commissioner Glenn D. Magpantay emphasized the importance of this initiative: "The ongoing work and commitment to the well-being of LEP communities are essential to uphold their rights and accessibility to services."

During this public briefing, the Commission seeks to gather insights from various stakeholders, including experts in language access, federal and state government officials, community advocates, and individuals affected by these issues. The Commission will also accept written materials from the public for inclusion in their report preparation. Submissions should be sent to [email protected] by April 21, 2025.

Details of the Event

• - Date: March 21, 2025 (Friday)
• - Time: 10:00 AM - 4:50 PM (Eastern Time)
• - Location: U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 1331 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 1150, Washington, DC 20425 (National Place Building — G Street Entrance)

Agenda

1. Opening Remarks: 10:00 AM - 10:10 AM
2. Panel Discussion 1: Overview of Existing Language Access Services: 10:10 AM - 11:20 AM
3. Break: 11:20 AM - 11:30 AM
4. Panel Discussion 2: Language Access in Government Services and Healthcare: 11:30 AM - 12:40 PM
5. Lunch: 12:40 PM - 1:30 PM
6. Panel Discussion 3: Voices from the Field: Community Advocates' Perspectives on Language Access Services: 1:30 PM - 2:50 PM
7. Break: 2:50 PM - 3:00 PM
8. Panel Discussion 4: Real Voices: Experiences of Individuals with Limited English Proficiency: 3:00 PM - 4:40 PM
9. Closing Remarks: 4:40 PM - 4:50 PM

The briefing will also be live-streamed, and those interested are encouraged to participate online due to limited seating capacity.

Closing Thoughts

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, established under the Civil Rights Act of 1957, stands as an independent bipartisan entity dedicated to offering civil rights recommendations to the President and Congress, while annually reporting on federal civil rights enforcement. With a network of state advisory committees, the Commission gathers comprehensive perspectives on civil rights concerns at the state and local levels. For more information about the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, please visit www.usccr.gov.

For inquiries, you can contact Joe Kim at [email protected]