Language Access and Asian American Communities

Should the language you speak affect your ability to access government benefits and services?  What happens to communities when services are not accessible because of language barriers?

Description

Join us for a policy roundtable on the importance of language access for Asian American, immigrant and refugee communities. We will examine the impact of President Trump’s executive order that designated English as the official language of the United States and rolled back language service mandates for individuals with limited English proficiency. Hear from national, state and local leaders in research, advocacy and government as they share current efforts to expand language access.

RSVP here to attend in person.

Not able to attend in person? Click here to join via zoom.

When

Monday, October 27, 2025 from 12:15PM - 3PM. Lunch will be provided for those who RSVP.

Where

10 Capen Hall (Buffalo Room) or via Zoom

Speakers

  • Yuri Jang, John Milner Professor in Social Work, University of Southern California
  • Youngsoo Choi, Law Offices of Youngsoo Choi P.C.
  • April N.M. Baskin, New York State Senator (63rd District)
  • Alejandro Cintron, Executive Director, New York State Office of Language Access
  • Sibu Nair, Director of Asian American and Pacific Islander Affairs, New York State
  • Yunju Nam, Associate Professor, UB School of Social Work (Moderator)

Thank you to all of our hosts and co-sponsors!

Hosts:

  • UB School of Social Work
  • UB Asia Research Institute

Co-sponsors:

  • Partnership for the Public Good (PPG)
  • New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC)
  • UB Immigrant and Refugee Research Institute