Our History

​Fighting for Language Justice in DC

​Since our founding, the DC Language Access Coalition has been a leading voice in the fight to ensure every resident — no matter the language they speak — can access essential government services and programs.

​2024 Amendment — Strengthening Language Access

DCLAC is leading the charge on a major step forward for language justice in D.C. — the Language Access Enforcement Amendment of 2024.
Over the past five years, the Coalition has gathered powerful evidence of ongoing violations of the Language Access Act of 2004. Through articles, community listening sessions, and casework, a pattern became clear: the law needed stronger enforcement mechanisms. In response, DCLAC drafted a policy memo and, in December 2023, presented it to Councilmember Brianne Nadeau, who committed to introducing this crucial legislation.
This amendment is a game-changer. It ensures stronger protections, clearer accountability, and more transparency across agencies and services.

Together, these reforms will help ensure that all residents — regardless of the language they speak — can access public services equitably, respectfully, and effectively.
Amendment Highlights Include:
  • Expanding coverage to more public-facing agencies and their grantees.
  • Mandatory data collection every two years to determine which languages require translated materials.
  • Quarterly public reporting of violations and corrective actions.
  • Stronger complaint enforcement, including a $2,500 fine paid to the complainant.
  • Timelines and transparency in complaint handling, with rights for community members to help shape corrective actions.
  • Clear appeal pathways through the Office of Administrative Hearings.
  • Required cultural competency training in translation and interpretation.
  • Guaranteed funding to fully implement the amendment.

​2023–Present: Pushing for Enforcement

In recent years, the Coalition has focused on strengthening enforcement of the Language Access Act. Since 2023, we’ve regularly testified at the DC Office of Human Rights (OHR) performance oversight hearings, presenting community data, case studies, and lived experiences.
Watch Our Testimony:

2015–2018: First Language Access Amendment – Focus on Education

In 2015, Councilmember David Grosso introduced the Language Access for Education Amendment Act, aimed at breaking language barriers in DC’s public and charter schools.
Key provisions of the amendment (enacted as D.C. Law 22-282) included:
  • Translation of essential school documents when 3% or at least 500 LEP/NEP individuals are part of the population served.
  • Mandatory translation of health and safety alerts for all LEP/NEP families, regardless of group size.
  • Required language access liaisons and coordinators in schools and education agencies.
The law passed unanimously in 2018, but unfortunately, several provisions were not funded and were later repealed in 2021. Still, this effort highlighted the ongoing need for enforcement and sustained investment in language access across education systems.

​ 2004: The Original Language Access Act

Our story begins in 2002, when the Coalition joined forces with DC Councilmember Jim Graham, DC Office of Human Rights (OHR), the Office on Latino Affairs (OLA), the Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (OAPIA), the Office of African Affairs (OAA) and other community-based organizations (CBOs) to pass the Language Access Act of 2004— one of the strongest laws of its kind in the country.
This groundbreaking legislation:
  • Requires DC government agencies to provide interpretation and translation services.
  • ​Protects the rights of Limited-English Proficient (LEP) and Non-English Proficient (NEP) residents, workers, and visitors.
  • Names the Coalition as an official consultative partner in monitoring compliance.
The Act was a huge win for immigrant communities and continues to serve as the foundation of our work today.

Know Your Rights

Under the Language Access Act, it is illegal for DC government agencies, programs, or contractors to deny services based on language barriers.
If you or someone you know was denied interpretation or translation services, you can file a complaint.
How to File a Language Access Complaint:
File online (in English) at ohr.dc.gov
Call 202-727-4559

Mail or deliver a complaint form to:
DC Office of Human Rights
Attn: Language Access Program
441 4th Street, NW, Suite 570 North
Washington, DC 20001

Complaint forms available in: Amharic, Chinese, French, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
View the investigation process & timeline
Need to advocate for yourself? Use “I Speak” cards to request language assistance when engaging with DC services.
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