2022 LAO Compliance Summary report OCEIA | Page 6

" Language justice is more important than ever during this pandemic as those who primarily use non-dominant languages have historically faced challenges in seeking access to basic amenities , legal remedies , and supportive services .

Reports have found that English proficiency impacts access to fundamental needs , such as housing , employment , law enforcement , and health care . Unsurprisingly , access to justice has proven difficult for individuals who use a language other than English at home , who have higher rates of poverty than the general population .

Linguistically marginalized communities are often the most isolated and vulnerable , making services and benefits difficult to access and obtain ."

— American Bar Association , Language Justice During COVID-19 Webinar , June 3 , 2020 1
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Casey Payton , Joann Lee , Ana Paula Noguez Mercado , and Alena Uliasz , “ Language Justice During COVID-19 ,” American Bar Association , June 3 , 2020 , https :// www . americanbar . org / groups / young _ lawyers / projects / disaster-legal-services / language-justice-during-covid-19 /.