Our Mission

Where Every Language Finds its Voice.

Our Challenge

Why we Started

New York State took an important step toward expanding language access when Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order No. 26 in 2011, which orders all executive State agencies to translate vital documents into the six most common state languages (“statewide languages of translation”) and to offer interpretation services to individuals in their primary language. However, even after the implementation of the Executive Order, significant language access barriers remain.

Lack of language access is one of the most significant barriers New York’s immigrant communities face when accessing critical State services.

Our Solution

Our Campaigns

1

Develop language services worker-owned cooperatives.

2

Create a Community Legal Interpreter Bank.

Our Story

The Language Justice Collaborative, previously known as the Language Access Coalition, was formed in 2016 to advocate for New York City to update and expand its language access policy. The collaborative includes African Communities Together, Asian American Federation, MASA and the New York Immigration Coalition. Each of our organizations has a long history of advocating for language accessibility for immigrant New Yorkers. The coalition aims to fight particularly for speakers of languages of limited diffusion (LLDs), which include African languages, many Asian languages, and indigenous Latin American languages.

  • African Communities Together

    African Communities Together is an organization of African immigrants fighting for civil rights, opportunity, and a better life for our families here in the U.S. and worldwide. ACT empowers African immigrants to integrate socially, advance economically, and engage civically. We connect African immigrants to critical services, help Africans develop as leaders, and organize our communities on the issues that matter. Follow us @AfricansUS.

  • Asian American Federation

    Established in 1989, the Asian American Federation (AAF) is the strongest leadership organization advocating for better policies, services, and funding that lead to more justice and opportunity for 1.5 million Asian New Yorkers. And we do this work in partnership with our 70 member and partner organizations. We represent the collective interests of Asian New Yorkers on issues of anti-Asian violence, mental health, economic empowerment, immigrant integration, and civic engagement. Our efforts ensure that the Asian community remains visible, our needs are addressed, our contributions are valued, and our stories are told.

    Follow us on FB: @AsianAmericanFederation / IG: @aafederation / X: @aafederation

  • MASA NY

    Masa partners with Mexican and Latino children, youth, and families in the South Bronx to develop strong learners and leaders who fully contribute to the larger community. We envision a community that is civically engaged, empowered, and educated. Masa’s community-led, integrated model engages the entire family, grounded in a deep commitment to strengthening literacy, leadership, and power for Mexican, Central American, and Indigenous People. Masa fosters a culturally responsive learning community in which families engage with direct service and advocacy programs to dismantle barriers to success. Follow us @masanyorg.

  • The New York Immigration Coalition

    The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) is an umbrella policy & advocacy organization that represents over 200 immigrant and refugee rights groups throughout New York. The NYIC serves one of the largest and most diverse newcomer populations in the United States. The multi-racial and multi-sector NYIC membership base includes grassroots and nonprofit community organizations, religious and academic institutions, labor unions, as well as legal and socioeconomic justice organizations. The NYIC not only establishes a forum for immigrant groups to voice their concerns, but also provides a platform for collective action to drive positive social change. Since its founding in 1987, the NYIC has evolved into a powerful voice of advocacy by spearheading innovative policies, promoting and protecting the rights of immigrant communities, improving newcomer access to services, developing leadership and capacity, expanding civic participation, and mobilizing member groups to respond to the fluctuating needs of immigrant communities. Follow us @thenyic.

Join The Team