Language barriers limit Long Island’s Asian Americans

A recent study by Hofstra University’s National Center for Suburban Studies (NCSS) and the Asian American Institute for Research and Engagement (AAIRE) has exposed significant barriers preventing Asian Americans on Long Island from fully accessing healthcare, legal services, and voting.

According to AAIRE President Farrah Mozawalla, the lack of language accessibility keeps many from receiving vital services, forcing them to navigate complex systems with little support. “It stops them from receiving the essential services that they should receive,” Mozawalla explained, emphasizing the urgent need for reform.

The report, Asian American Language Accessibility Assessment: Breaking Barriers and Bridging Gaps, found that 51.8% of respondents said language barriers directly impacted their ability to vote, while 59% reported that their family members had difficulty accessing non-emergency healthcare. These barriers stem from a shortage of culturally competent staff and inadequate translation services, making it difficult for many in the community to seek help or understand official documents, as described in the report findings published by Hofstra University.

In addition to service limitations, discrimination remains a major issue for non-English-speaking Asian Americans. The study found that 67% of those who struggle with English reported experiencing discrimination based on their accent, while 77.8% of respondents said they faced bias because of their ethnicity. Mozawalla stressed that public service providers must do more to support these communities, explaining that hiring multilingual, culturally competent staff is essential. “The Asian community is growing so fast here on Long Island. It’s essential for service providers to train and hire diverse staff,” she said, as noted in WSHU Public Radio’s coverage of the study.

The report also highlighted barriers in emergency services, including police, fire, and legal assistance, which were among the hardest to access for Asian Americans with limited English proficiency. NCSS Executive Dean Lawrence Levy underscored the broader impact of these findings, noting that “understanding the diverse communities in our suburbs is essential to ensuring their economic and social success”, as detailed in Hofstra University’s study.

With Long Island’s Asian American population rapidly increasing, researchers and advocates are calling for immediate action. Mozawalla suggested hiring multilingual staff and utilizing translation technology as potential solutions. She emphasized that overcoming language barriers is critical to ensuring equitable access to services and protecting the rights of the growing Asian American community, as reported by WSHU Public Radio.