Mass Speaks Coalition

Mass Speaks Coalition A coalition advocating for the passage of An Act Relative to Language Access and Inclusion

On April 8, members and supporters of Mass Speaks gathered at the Massachusetts State House for a Mini Lobby Day in supp...
04/14/2026

On April 8, members and supporters of Mass Speaks gathered at the Massachusetts State House for a Mini Lobby Day in support of the Language Access and Inclusion Act. Participants met with legislators to highlight why language access in state agencies is essential for communities across Massachusetts.

The Mass Speaks Steering Committee provided fact sheets, talking points, and advocacy materials to support conversations with lawmakers. The most powerful messages, however, came from participants sharing their lived experiences navigating state agencies in languages other than English and from organizations speaking about what they see happening on the ground.

Advocates first gathered in Room 437 for coffee and light refreshments before heading out to legislative offices across the State House.

In Massachusetts, 1 in 4 residents speak a language other than English at home. Still, many important state services are...
04/01/2026

In Massachusetts, 1 in 4 residents speak a language other than English at home. Still, many important state services are only offered in English. This prevents families across the state from accessing essential services such as healthcare, legal support, and fully participating in their communities.

Across the country, policymakers are also recognizing the importance of language access. Recently, members of Congress introduced a resolution to recognize April as National Language Access Month and raise awareness about the need for meaningful language access in public services.

At Mass Speaks, our coalition work centers around An Act Relative to Language Access and Inclusion, which would establish uniform language access standards across all public-facing state agencies and create mechanisms to ensure these standards are met.

We believe everyone deserves language access to the information and state services they need to engage, contribute, and thrive in Massachusetts.

Join us for a Mini Lobby Day to support the Language Access and Inclusion Act. This is your chance to meet with legislat...
03/26/2026

Join us for a Mini Lobby Day to support the Language Access and Inclusion Act. This is your chance to meet with legislators and share why accessible language services in state agencies are vital for communities across Massachusetts.

The Mass Speaks Steering Committee will provide fact sheets, talking points, and advocacy materials. But the most compelling message comes from your own experiences—whether it’s navigating state agencies in a language other than English or witnessing the challenges your organization encounters on the ground.

Location: State House, Room 437
We’ll gather to distribute advocacy packets and enjoy coffee and light refreshments before visiting legislative offices.

RSVP by March 27:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc3OKYSBh3pkqe873RyG2BTmZYKAjjMYrSsEsZVuw8YAeNd2Q/viewform

Please share this invitation with colleagues and your networks!

Join us on April 8th for a Mini Lobby Day at the Massachusetts State House to advocate for the Language Access and Inclu...
03/16/2026

Join us on April 8th for a Mini Lobby Day at the Massachusetts State House to advocate for the Language Access and Inclusion Act. This is an opportunity to meet with legislators and highlight why language access in state agencies is essential for communities across Massachusetts.

The Mass Speaks Steering Committee will provide fact sheets, talking points, and advocacy materials. The most powerful message, however, will come from your experiences. Whether from your own lived experience navigating state agencies in a language other than English or from what your organization sees happening on the ground.

Location: State House, Room 437

We will meet to distribute advocacy packets and provide coffee and light refreshments before visiting legislative offices.

Please share with colleagues and networks.

RSVP by March 27:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc3OKYSBh3pkqe873RyG2BTmZYKAjjMYrSsEsZVuw8YAeNd2Q/viewform

Almost one in four Massachusetts residents speaks a language other than English at home, yet the majority of state servi...
03/06/2026

Almost one in four Massachusetts residents speaks a language other than English at home, yet the majority of state services remain available only in English. As a result, thousands of families are effectively shut out from essential supports such as food assistance, unemployment benefits, housing protections, and child welfare services. The Language Access & Inclusion Act would strengthen and enforce language access across state agencies so every resident can get the help they need.

Note: This letter tool works for constituents whose Representative or Senator serves on the Ways & Means Committee. If neither does, you may see a message that no recipients were found.

Take action now:
Take 2 minutes to send a letter to your legislator urging them to report this bill out favorably and send it to the floor for a vote. Click the link below to add your own details and advocate with Ways and Means.

Start here:
https://tinyurl.com/34yn74fp

Fact Sheet:
https://tinyurl.com/bnfvnbhh

Language access is essential to the safety, stability, and well-being of our communities.

People turn to state agencies in moments of real urgency—whether applying for unemployment benefits after losing a job, ...
02/27/2026

People turn to state agencies in moments of real urgency—whether applying for unemployment benefits after losing a job, seeking food assistance to support their families, trying to prevent eviction, or navigating the complexities of the child welfare system.

The Language Access & Inclusion Act would strengthen and enforce language access requirements across state agencies so that every resident can fully understand their rights and access the support they need.

Note: This letter tool works for constituents whose Representative or Senator serves on the Ways & Means Committee. If neither does, you may see a message that no recipients were found.

Take action today:
It only takes two minutes to send a message to your legislator urging them to report this bill favorably out of committee and move it to the floor for a vote. Personalize your message and make your voice heard.

Start here:
https://tinyurl.com/34yn74fp

Fact Sheet:
https://tinyurl.com/bnfvnbhh

Language access is fundamental to the safety, stability, and well-being of our communities.

On Saturday, we celebrated International Mother Language Day!At Mass Speaks, we believe everyone deserves to fully under...
02/23/2026

On Saturday, we celebrated International Mother Language Day!

At Mass Speaks, we believe everyone deserves to fully understand their rights and access the services they need, no matter what language they speak.

That’s why we’re advocating for the Language Access & Inclusion Act, which would strengthen and enforce language access requirements across state agencies so that every resident can fully understand their rights and access the support they need.

Take action today:
It only takes two minutes to send a message to your legislator urging them to report this bill favorably out of committee and move it to the floor for a vote. Personalize your message and make your voice heard.

Start here: https://tinyurl.com/34yn74fp

Fact Sheet: https://tinyurl.com/bnfvnbhh

Note: This letter tool works for constituents whose Representative or Senator serves on the Ways & Means Committee. If neither does, you may see a message that no recipients were found.

People depend on state agencies to address urgent needs and challenges. From applying for unemployment assistance, to ke...
02/19/2026

People depend on state agencies to address urgent needs and challenges. From applying for unemployment assistance, to keeping food on the table and preventing eviction, to navigating the complexities of the child welfare system. Yet for many Massachusetts residents, limited English proficiency creates significant barriers to accessing these essential services.

The Language Access & Inclusion Act would strengthen and enforce language access requirements across state agencies so that every resident can fully understand their rights and access the support they need.

Note: This letter tool works for constituents whose Representative or Senator serves on the Ways & Means Committee. If neither does, you may see a message that no recipients were found.

Take action today:
It only takes two minutes to send a message to your legislator urging them to report this bill favorably out of committee and move it to the floor for a vote. Personalize your message and make your voice heard.

Start here:
https://tinyurl.com/34yn74fp

Fact Sheet:
https://tinyurl.com/bnfvnbhh

Language access is fundamental to the safety, stability, and well-being of our communities.

Thank you for standing with us,
— Mass Speaks Coalition, MLRI, Massachusetts Appleseed, & Justice Center of SE MA

Nearly 1 in 4 people in Massachusetts speaks a language other than English at home, but most state services are still En...
02/05/2026

Nearly 1 in 4 people in Massachusetts speaks a language other than English at home, but most state services are still English-only. This denies thousands of families access to critical support like food assistance, unemployment benefits, housing protection, and child welfare services.

The Language Access & Inclusion Act would strengthen and enforce language access across state agencies so every resident can get the help they need.

Note: This letter tool works for constituents whose Representative or Senator serves on the Ways & Means Committee. If neither does, you may see a message that no recipients were found.

Take action now:

Take 2 minutes to send a letter to your legislator urging them to report this bill out favorably and send it to the floor for a vote. Click the link below to add your own details and advocate with Ways and Means.

Start here:
https://tinyurl.com/34yn74fp

Fact Sheet:
https://tinyurl.com/bnfvnbhh

Language access is essential to the safety, stability, and well-being of our communities.

Thank you for standing with us,
— Mass Speaks Coalition, MLRI, Massachusetts Appleseed, & Justice Center of SE MA

12/23/2025

Sam Berlus, Community Engagement Specialist at discussing why the Language Access and Inclusion Act is so important!

12/16/2025

Another amazing coalition partner, Cenee Enriquez, Policy and Systems Advocacy Manager at .doe.inc, shares the importance of the Language Access and Inclusion Act!

12/09/2025

As we shared a few weeks ago, the has received a favorable report out of the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight!

The push to advocate for this bill continues, so stay tuned to continue to hear from advocates, like Leela Ramachandran, Policy Director of the , who discuss the importance of this bill!

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