This brochure courtesy of Legal Services of Northern Virginia.  If you have questions about this material or this subject, we would like to hear from you.  Send us e-mail or call at 703-788-6800.

Interpreter Planning Partnership

What would you do if your livelihood or home depended on being understood and you didn’t speak English?

Interpreter Planning Partnership (IPP) -

LSNV Policy Regarding the Provision of Interpreter Services

Legal Services of Northern Virginia (LSNV) recognizes that in order to ensure equal access to justice for the residents of Northern Virginia, many who are immigrants with a limited command of the English Language, the provision of an interpreter is necessary where the individual is unable to effectively communicate in the oral or written English language. In addition, Sign Language services are provided to hearing impaired and deaf clients as required under the ADA. LSNV supports the Interpreter Planning Partnership in the provision of these services.

The IPP:

Recruits individuals fluent in the languages spoken by the immigrant communities in Northern Virginia and maintains a "language bank" of community and court interpreters.

The majority of these interpreters are volunteers. This language bank includes American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters who interpret for hearing impaired and deaf individuals.

Identifies bilingual and multilingual LSNV staff members and bilingual and multilingual attorneys working with the LSNV Pro Bono program.

Assigns interpreters to assist LSNV clients in both in-house interviews in the LSNV offices and sometimes in Court.

Coordinates ongoing legal training for the volunteer interpreters and translates information about Virginia Civil Law into foreign languages.

Accesses the media in order to reach the non-English speaking community and develops partnerships with other community service organizations serving the immigrant communities.

Hosts an Annual Community Forum to highlight the needs of foreign and cultural minorities to the community.

Clients and Case handlers should request interpreter services by calling the IPP Program Coordinator a minimum of 48 hours in advance of the appointment. Those able to make individualized requests include clients, family members, friends of clients, and service providers. When a request is received, the Program Coordinator will assess the availability of an interpreter and provide the interpreter and the requestor with all appropriate and necessary information. At the completion of the interview, the coordinator follows up by discussing the interpretation with both the interpreter and the client or case handler.

The IPP will make every effort to assist eligible persons in need of interpretation services, including deaf or hearing impaired people in need of Sign Language interpreters.

If you interested in volunteering with the IPP, please contact Eric H. Moe, IPP Coordinator at 703-778-6806.

Ensuring Access to Justice

for Non-English Speaking People

Updated January 14, 2005