The impact of language access: Recognizing the right to language assistance
As one of the most diverse countries in the world, the United States has always prided itself on its multiculturalism and inclusivity. However, despite its melting pot of cultures, many non-English speakers face significant barriers in accessing basic services. This issue is particularly pressing in the healthcare and legal sectors, where language plays a critical role. In this article, we will explore the impact of language access on individuals and society as a whole, and why recognizing the right to language assistance is so important.
The language barrier in healthcare
Access to health care is considered a basic human right, but this access is significantly limited for non-native English speakers. In fact, limited English proficiency is a major barrier to accessing health care, which can have serious consequences for individuals and the healthcare system as a whole. This barrier can lead to delays in medical diagnoses, misunderstandings of medical procedures, and inappropriate treatment for patients.
Moreover, the lack of language assistance can have severe financial consequences on our healthcare system. For example, the cost of medical malpractice lawsuits can increase drastically due to a language barrier. In addition, when patients are unable to communicate adequately with their healthcare providers, the number of avoidable hospital visits and extended stays increase, which ultimately increases healthcare costs.
The language barrier in the legal system
A language barrier not only affects access to healthcare, but it also affects individuals who encounter the criminal justice system. Non-native English speakers in the legal system may face numerous challenges, including a lack of legal representation, inability to understand and communicate their legal rights, and the potential for discrimination.
Language barriers can also lead to wrongful convictions. In the United States, language barriers have played a role in several high-profile cases where non-native English speakers were convicted of crimes they didn't commit simply because they didn't understand the legal proceedings or were unable to communicate effectively with their attorneys.
The cost of language barriers
Language barriers have a significant impact on the economy and society as a whole. According to a recent report, businesses in the United States lose approximately $2 billion every year due to inadequate language access. This barrier affects businesses across all sectors, including healthcare, legal, education, and retail.
Furthermore, language barriers are a public health issue. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the significance of language access in healthcare, with non-English speakers facing difficulties in accessing important health information and medical care. This barrier has resulted in disproportionate rates of infection and death among non-English speaking populations.
Recognizing the right to language assistance
Language assistance is a human right, and it's critical that the United States recognizes and respects this right. Many organizations and advocates have been working to improve language access throughout the country. However, the problem is far from being solved, and we should continue to push for more significant changes.
One way to improve language access in the healthcare and legal sectors is by providing professional interpreters and translators. This approach ensures effective communication between healthcare providers, attorneys, and clients/patients. In addition, offering accessible information in multiple languages, including signage, brochures, and websites, can help reduce language barriers.
Conclusion
Language access is essential to ensuring equal access to justice, healthcare, and other critical services. As a country founded on values of diversity and inclusion, it is our responsibility to remove language barriers and provide adequate language assistance to all who need it. By doing so, we can improve the lives of millions of non-native English speakers and strengthen our society as a whole.