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In any
language, the message is the same: HOME exists in large part to educate
all residents of Western New York about their right to be treated fairly
and equally by landlords and other housing providers.
When someone doesn’t
read and write the one of the predominant languages in the United States,
that person is more likely to be unaware they have any rights when it
comes to housing. However, for the Arab-speaking population this has
changed. HOME has just published in Arabic the new brochure “You Can
Fight Discrimination”.
Why is this important?
Reaching the Arabic speaking population and informing them of their civil
rights is increasingly important since September 11, 2001. According to
the 2000 US Census, over three thousand Erie and Niagara County residents
report Arabic as the language spoken at home. Over two-thirds reside in
the cities of Buffalo and Lackawanna while another one-fifth lives in
Buffalo’s 1st-ring suburbs.
HOME’s Education
Specialist Anne Huiner, with the translation provided by the International
Institute, created the new brochure and had the rewarding experience of
distributing it in Western New York’s Arab community.
For some, just the
sight of a brochure that provided such important information in Arabic
elicited an emotional response. Huiner recounted that “staff at human
service agencies was very appreciative and happy to have this new tool to
empower the Arabic-speaking clients they serve.” One Arabic-speaking
woman read the brochure immediately and, with tears in hers eyes, said
“thank you. This is so important.”
HOME’s Brochures
Receive Makeovers
Last fall, HOME began
updating the look (adding HOME’s new logo) and content (adding sexual
orientation as a newly-protected class under New York law and gender
identity and expression under some local laws) of all its brochures.
This comprehensive
effort is nearly complete. New to the bilingual fair housing rights
brochure “You Can Fight Discrimination / Usted Puede
Luchar Contra La Discriminacion” is a frequently asked questions
section.
Added to the “Choosing
Good Tenants” brochure is a section on setting reasonable occupancy
standards that don’t discriminate against families with children.
The new HOME membership
brochure will debut at the 41st Annual Meeting on April 27th.
While the new look of
HOME’s brochures may represent a break from its past, the message is
unchanged. All people deserve the basic dignity and respect embodied in
one of our most basic civil rights – to live free from discrimination in
the place they call home. |
