Federal Government Language Access Resource Guide

RESOURCES FROM THE FEDERAL & STATE GOVERNMENT

• The Limited English Proficiency Federal Interagency Website provides links to a variety of documents that vary from providing guidance for providing language access services, to lists of National Interpreter and Translator Associations and Organizations, to actual translated documents that can be printed and used.
• The General Services Administration maintains a Language Services Schedule that provides agencies with a list of government contractors that provide translation and interpretation services, training support, and language technology.
• The National Virtual Translation Center assists in identifying the language of and ensuring the quality of pre-translated materials for federal agencies. NVTC can also translate classified material.
• The Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) coordinates and disseminates information on language-related activities at the federal level. Aside from defining skill-level standards for language access initiatives, the ILR maintains a list of upcoming conferences, as well as a variety of career resources for language professionals’ development and education. The site also provides a small archive of language-access research and initiative reports.
• The National Center for State Courts (NCSC) maintains the Language Access Guide which consists of reports, executive orders, agency policies, and program guidelines designed to help state courts build their capacity for language access. The NCSC is an independent, nonprofit court improvement organization founded at the urging of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Warren E. Burger and that works directly with the courts on technical assistance.
• The US Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Minority Health’s National Standards on Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) standards encompass language access. While the standards are primarily directed at health care organizations; individual providers are also encouraged to use the standards to make their practices more culturally and linguistically accessible.

REPORTING LANGUAGE ACCESS CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS

• The Federal Coordination and Compliance Section within the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division handles language access discrimination cases regarding programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance.
• The Department of Labor’s Civil Rights Center (CRC) investigates discriminatory actions that may have been taken by an agency, organization, or business that receives financial assistance under Title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 or receives Federal assistance from the Department of Labor.
• The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights investigates discrimination complaints alleged against any public or private program that receives federal funding through the Education Department.
• The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has the authority to investigate allegations of civil rights discriminations against state and local government agencies, health care providers, and programs operated by the HHS.
• Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Office handles housing discrimination complaints, including those related to language access.
• FEMA’s Office of Equal Rights’ Civil Rights Program investigates discrimination complaints made by applicants for or recipients of FEMA federal funds, services, or programs.
• The Department of Homeland Security’s Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) receives civil rights violation complaints alleged against any of the Department’s programs —including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).