When a LEP person confronts a language access barrier, it is best to quickly contact the office where the discrimination occurred. If doing so does not provide satisfactory results, the person has the following recourses:
Legal Aid Justice Center (LAJC)
Address: 1000 Preston Avenue, Suite A, Charlottesville 22902
Website: http://www.justice4all.org
Contact: Phil Storey (LAJC), phil@justiceforall.org
Contact: Dan Nagin, (UVA Family Resource Clinic, a joint project with LAJC), (434) 243-4320, dnagin@virginia.edu
Contact: Doug Ford (UVA Immigration Law Clinic), (434) 977-0553, Extension 136, doug@justice4all.org
Contact: Tim Freilich (LAJC), (434) 977-0553, Extension 111, tim@justice4all.org
These lawyers help qualified immigrants who confront a language barrier when trying to access services from government offices, hospitals, and other agencies.
Complaints about UVA’s treatment of Spanish Language Clients
Any questions, concerns or complaints about UVA’s language assistance or treatment of Spanish Language Clients should be directed to Sally LeBeau at SBS5H@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu with the patient’s full name, date of birth and/or patient number.”
Complaints Against Offices Receiving Federal Assistance
The process for making complaints is detailed at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/civilrights/complaints. Persons and organizations wishing to report specific incidences of language barriers may do so anonymously. All complaints can be directed to the Regional Manager for Civil Rights, Paul Cushing, at 215-861-4441 (phone), 800-368-1019 (hotline), 215-861-4431 (fax), Paul.Cushing@hhs.gov, or at Paul Cushing, Health & Human Services, 150 S. Independence Mall West, Suite 372, Public Ledger Bldg, Philadelphia, PA 19106-9111
Complaints Against Virginia Social Services Offices
This Virginia Department of Social Services webpage provides information about filing a complaint against language barriers confronted at one of its local agencies.
Location: http://www.dss.virginia.gov/about/civil_rights/index.cgi