Source: http://co.elk.pa.us/index.php/language-access-plan2
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 07:22:21+00:00

Document:
This Language Access Plan (LAP) is the plan for the judicial district to ensure meaningful access to court services for persons with limited English proficiency (LEP) or deaf or hard of hearing in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 19641, the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act2, the Pennsylvania Interpreter Act3, and the Administrative Regulations Governing Court Interpreters for Persons With Limited English Proficiency and for Persons Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing4. A limited English proficient person is a person who does not speak English as his or her primary language, and who has a limited ability to read, write, speak, or understand English, and therefore may be unable to understand and meaningfully participate in the court process. Although deaf and hard of hearing individuals are covered under the Americas with Disabilities Act (ADA) rather than Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, they have been included in this plan insofar as they relate to the Pennsylvania Interpreter Act and the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts' (AOPC) Interpreter Certification Program Regulations5.
The purpose of the plan is to provide a framework for the provision of timely and effective language assistance to LEP persons and deaf and hard of hearing persons who come in contact with the judicial district.
1. 42 U.S.C. § 2000d et seq.; see also 45 C.F.R. § 80 et seq.; 28 C.F.R. § 42 et seq.
2. 42 U.S.C. § 3789d(c)(1).
3. Act 172 of 2006, 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 4401, et seq.
4. 204 Pa. Code § 221.101 et seq.
5. 204 Pa. Code 221.
to be a contact person for the public, court staff, and the AOPC concerning this plan and its implementation.
Any LEP, deaf, or hard of hearing individual has the right to file a complaint against the 59th Judicial District when he or she believes that the 59th Judicial District did not provide the necessary LEP or sign language services. The Language Access Coordinator shall take reasonable steps to inform LEP, deaf, or hard of hearing court users about the availability of complaint forms.
The Language Access Coordinator or her designee will investigate any complaints that allege noncompliance with this LAP. If the investigation results in a finding of compliance, the Language Access Coordinator will inform the LEP individual in writing of this determination, including the basis for determination. If the investigation results in a finding of noncompliance, the Language Access Coordinator will inform the LEP person of the noncompliance in a letter that outlines the steps that will be taken to correct the noncompliance.

References: § 2000
 § 80
 § 42
 § 3789
 § 4401
 § 221