Kristi Cruz
Language Access Specialist @U.S. Department Of Justice
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WORK HISTORY
Language Access Specialist @U.S. Department Of Justice
The Office for Access to Justice Language Access Program is dedicated to breaking down the barriers that prevent linguistically marginalized communities and those with limited proficiency in English, including those who are Deaf and hard of hearing, from reporting a crime, understanding their rights, navigating a court process, and from other interactions with the U.S. Department of Justice.My role involves serving as a language access senior advisor and leading policy and program activities among other fun stuff!
EDUCATION
University of Washington Bothell
Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, Society, Ethics, and Human Behavior; Minor in Human Rights
Seattle Central College
AAS, ASL Interpreting
Seattle University School of Law
Juris Doctorate
ABOUT KRISTI CRUZ
I\'m an attorney and a formerly RID certified American Sign Language Interpreter (CI/CT)(19••••14). I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Arts and Science, with a minor in Human Rights from the University of Washington and a JD from Seattle University School of Law. I started my legal career as the Seattle University School of Law Leadership for Justice Fellow (2009), where I worked at the Northwest Justice Project to increase access to justice and critical governmental services for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and those with limited English proficiency. Along with my colleague, Gillian Dutton, I was a co-reporter for the American Bar Association\'s drafting of the Standards for Language Access In Courts. The Standards were adopted as national ABA policy in 2012 and continue to help shape access to justice principles for LEP persons and appropriate language services. You can find this resource at: I rejoined the Northwest Justice Project from 2011 to 2024, during which time I created the CLEAR*ASL program to improve access to legal aid services for deaf, hard-of-hearing, and deaf-blind clients who prefer to communicate in ASL. In addition to direct services, during this time, I coordinated the language access work at NJP to address barriers in healthcare, social services, and the courts for individuals with limited English proficiency and those who are Deaf, hard-of-hearing, or DeafBlind. In 2024, I joined the U.S. Department of Justice\'s Office for Access to Justice, where I am part of the Language Access Program at DOJ. In this role, I provide input on how DOJ components can provide language services for Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and Deafblind individuals, and those who are limited English proficient.
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