Episode 24: Language Access in Court

In Part Two of my conversation with Nadia Romanazzi, Director of Legal Education and Policy at Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, we examine how language access operates within state agencies and courts.Nadia discusses Massachusetts Appleseed’s research on language access in child welfare agencies and trial courts, highlighting how the lack of interpretation and translated documents can lead to family separation and diminished parental advocacy, as well as delayed justiceWe also discuss why misconceptions about education justice often label marginalized communities as powerless instead of systematically excluded.This episode asks what it means to truly be heard and able to advocate within systems that were not designed for linguistic diversity, and why improving language access ultimately strengthens education for everyone.