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Accessibility of Social Service Agencies for Clients with Limited English Proficiency
Musema, Suzanne Musema, Suzanne
Musema, Suzanne
Musema, Suzanne
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Abstract
This study examined the accessibility of social service agencies in the city of Lynn, Massachusetts for clients with limited English proficiency (LEP). Social service agencies (N=27) participated in phone interviews and/or an online survey, exploring services offered by the agencies, the availability of translation services, and if so, in what languages and procedures for providing translation services. Results showed that more than half of the agencies provided oral translation services to clients who prefer to engage in a language other than English by relying on bilingual staff members, and family and friends of the client to act as the interpreters. Many agencies only offered services in Spanish and English. The study’s findings offered some important insight into the availability of services to the sizable portion of the city’s residents who have LEP status, revealing the disparities that exist in access to language assistance.
Title
Accessibility of Social Service Agencies for Clients with Limited English Proficiency
Date
2021-05-01
Subject
access to services
communication
language assistance
limited English proficiency (LEP)
service disparities
translation services
communication
language assistance
limited English proficiency (LEP)
service disparities
translation services
Material type
Collections
Abstract
This study examined the accessibility of social service agencies in the city of Lynn, Massachusetts for clients with limited English proficiency (LEP). Social service agencies (N=27) participated in phone interviews and/or an online survey, exploring services offered by the agencies, the availability of translation services, and if so, in what languages and procedures for providing translation services. Results showed that more than half of the agencies provided oral translation services to clients who prefer to engage in a language other than English by relying on bilingual staff members, and family and friends of the client to act as the interpreters. Many agencies only offered services in Spanish and English. The study’s findings offered some important insight into the availability of services to the sizable portion of the city’s residents who have LEP status, revealing the disparities that exist in access to language assistance.