Washington State Coalition for Language Access

Mission                                                                                           

At the Washington State Coalition for Language Access (WASCLA) our mission is clear: to champion the language rights of immigrants, refugees, and Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, and Deafblind individuals in Washington State. We actively work towards a future where every individual can access essential services in a language they understand. 

From healthcare to education, legal services to emergency assistance, we strive for equitable access for all, fostering language justice and racial equity to ensure every person has the opportunity to thrive. Imagine navigating these complex systems while also dealing with language and cultural differences. At WASCLA we regularly hear from parents left out of teacher conferences, patients being told to bring their own interpreter to doctors appointments, and residents missing out on emergency alerts all because of the lack of language services. 

WASCLA, in collaboration with our coalition members, works to remove these barriers and to create access by educating providers, convening stakeholders, and sharing best practices to bring attention to these issues and hold institutions accountable. 

Description                                                                      

Over the past 15 years, WASCLA has worked collaboratively with community partners and governmental organizations to highlight obstacles and create solutions that increase access. WASCLA’s advocacy efforts have lead to improvements such as:

* Creating and sharing thousands of "I Speak" cards representing 30 languages for people to identify their language needs in healthcare.

* Improving language access for families of students in public schools, so that all families can participate in their children's education.

* Shaping language access services for Washington's COVID-19 response, to make critical health information available in 37 languages.

Join us in championing equity, justice, and inclusion. Your contribution today helps us continue our advocacy towards a future where language is no longer a barrier to opportunity.