Cultural and Linguistic Appropriate Services

(CLAS)

“Ultimately, disasters are characterized by

many people trying to do quickly what they

do not ordinarily do, in an environment with

which they are not familiar.”

Chan, T. C., Killeen, J., Griswold, W., & Lenert, L. (2004). Information

technology and emergency medical care during disasters. Academic

Emergency Medicine, 11(11), p. 1229-1236.

Title VI, 42 U.S.C. § 2000d et seq., was enacted as part of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. As President John F. Kennedy said in 1963:

Simple justice requires that public funds, to which all taxpayers of all races [colors, and national origins] contribute, not be spent in any fashion which encourages, entrenches, subsidizes or results in racial [color or national origin] discrimination.

Title VI--Civil Rights Act of 1964

Executive Order 13166-Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency (2000)

Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act (2006) Added limited English proficiency (and disability) to list

classes protected by the Stafford Act. Must provide services in a way that does not discriminate against those with LEP

Attorney General’s 2011 Memo to Federal Agencies Reaffirming the Mandates of E.O. 13166 Expressed concern regarding lack of compliance

Discrimination

Who lives in your community?

Who may live part time in your community?

Why should you pay attention and know this ?

What is functional literacy?

Do you know…

Languages Likely to be Encountered-Any missing?

•African Languages*•Arabic•Armenian•Burmese•Chinese•French•German•Greek

•Gujarathi•Hebrew•Hindi•Hmong•Hungarian•Italian•Japanese•Khmer

•Korean•Laotian•Navajo•Persian•Polish•Portuguese•Russian•Scandinavian

•Serbo-Croatian•Spanish•Tagalog •Thai•Urdu•Vietnamese•Yiddish

* Over 2500 languages spoken. Common: Amharic, Arabic, Berber, Hausa, Igbo, Oromo, Somali, Swahili, Wolof, Yoruba, Zulu

Speaking louder does not facilitate understanding Have language service contract in place Test the system Have simple and easy to follow instructions for staff on

how to use the services Identify your language needs ahead of time

Update at least yearly

Different cultures express anxiety and show empathy differently A smile can be used to show happiness, embarrassment,

fear, tension, resignation, remorse etc. What the smile means depends on the 'type' being used. In the Thai language, there are 13 different words to indicate the type of smile.

Keep in mind

Undocumented immigrants and non-citizens may choose to avoid government officials

Prior experience or practice of deportation Be prepared to explain policy in their

language Rituals are important – prayers, amulets Have clear and simple instructions printed in

multiple languages ahead of time

Keep in mind

Social – family structure Gender Roles Cultural and Religious Differences View of authority figures Non-citizens could be wrongfully

denied recovery aid due to their immigration status or because they lost important immigration documents

Keep in mind

A smile and acceptance leads to a world full of clarity and connectedness.