Summary of Language Access Issues in Massachusetts Courts
This report details notable issues with language access in Massachusetts courts, impacting Limited English Proficiency (LEP) individuals adn those who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing (D/HH). Here’s a breakdown of the key problems:
1. Lack of Clear Information & Navigation:
* Insufficient Signage: Courthouses lack adequate multilingual signage, causing confusion about courtroom locations.
* Unknown Resources: D/HH court users didn’t know who to contact to request accommodations.
2.Cultural Insensitivity & Discrimination:
* Staff Attitudes: Court staff demonstrated limited cultural responsiveness,with some questioning the need for interpreters.
* Discrimination Reported: Spanish-speaking participants felt discriminated against, afraid, and disillusioned due to their limited English.
3. Interpreter Access Problems:
* Arduous Request Process: The process for requesting and scheduling interpreters is problematic.
* Long wait Times: Wait times for interpreters ranged from an hour to weeks, with 2-3 hours being the most common.
* No-Shows & Postponements: A significant number of scheduled interpreters didn’t show up (45%), leading to postponements (62%).
* Cases Proceeding Without Interpretation: 36% of cases continued without interpretation.
* Informal interpreters: LEP individuals frequently enough relied on family members or strangers for interpretation. Court officials were observed actively seeking interpreters within the courtroom itself.
4. Logistical Failings:
* Even when interpreters were scheduled, there were issues with effectively utilizing their services.
Recommendations from the report include:
* Increased Multilingual Signage.
* “On-Call” Interpreter Team: establish a team of interpreters available for short-notice requests.
* Clear Scheduling Protocols: Develop clear protocols for scheduling interpreters within clerks’ offices.
* Designated Staff Responsibility: Assign specific staff members to confirm interpreter attendance.
In essence, the report highlights a systemic failure to provide adequate language access, leading to inequitable experiences and potential injustices for LEP and D/HH court users in Massachusetts.