Language Access ~ LSNC Main Site

Language Access

You can contact the Title VI National Origin Discrimination Bilingual Hotline at (888) 848-5306.

Language Access to the Courts in California – A Legal Advocate’s Manual (November 2006) – 53-page handbook with suggestions for policy advocacy, administrative and legal strategies to help LEP low-income persons gain access to the courts; written by and for California legal services and public interest advocates. (Caveat: 2.7 MB PDF download, so be patient!)
LEP Policies and Procedures – Yolo County Housing Authority

All County Letter 06-20 (June 30, 2006) – CDSS directive regarding County requirements to provide interpretive services, going over general obligations as well as specific information regarding the relation between the County’s interpretation obligation and usage of self-provided interpreters. See also, LSNC summary of ACL 06-20.
Dymally Alatorre Bilingual Services Act (California) @ State Personnel Board
- alternate site: California Government Code §§ 7290 – 7299.8 @ California Legislative Counsel
California Government Code §§ 11135 – 11139.8 @ California Legislative Counsel – California’s counterpart to the Title VI prohibition of discrimination, including national origin discrimination (which includes language-based discrimination) by state agencies.
California Speaks: Language Diversity and English Proficiency by Legislative District (February 2006)) @ Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC)
Language Barriers to Justice in California @ California State Bar – report by the California Commission on Access to Justice.
Provision for Services to Applicants and Recipients Who Are Non-English Speaking or Who Have Disabilities – see Manual of Policies and Procedures (MPP) 21-115.
Senate Bill 853 (Escutia) – requiring regulations establishing standards and requirements to provide health care service plan enrollees with access to language assistance in obtaining health care services.

Executive Order 13166 – ground zero on federal government initiatives on LEP issues, this is the U.S. Department of Justice threshold authorization on “Improving Access to Persons with Limited English Proficiency,” governing all entities receiving financial assistance under the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
U.S. Department of Justice LEP Regulatory Guidance @ 67 Federal Register 41455-41472 (June 18, 2002) – federal regs applicable to all federal agencies; advocates should be sure to check for specific federal agencies guidance.
Settlement in Asociación de Trabajadores Fronterizos (January 2006) (caveat: download is a 2.5 MB file) – U.S. Department of Justice settlement agreeing that the Trade Adjustment Assistance program must offer bilingual job technical skills training programs.

Best Practices for Reaching Out and Serving LEP Clients @ National Senior Citizens Law Center
CMS Guidance to Private Medicare plans @ Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services – obligations to LEP beneficiaries (January 2, 2008)
HUD Limited English Proficiency Resources
- HUD Final LEP Guidance (January 22, 2007)
- HUD Frequently Asked Questions about the Final LEP Guidance
- HUD materials for Limited English Proficient households - includes recertification notices, resident rights and responsibilities brochure, certification of domestic violence, and FAQ on the Housing Choice Voucher program
Legal Services Corporation LEP Guidance (December 6, 2004)
Social Security Administration LEP Directives:
- DDS: Interpreters for Individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) or Individuals Requiring Language Assistance (POMS Section DI 23040.001) – applicable to DDS “disability units.”
- DHU: Interpreters for Individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) or Individuals Requiring Language Assistance (POMS Section DI 33010.030) – applicable to conduct of hearings.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Interviewing (POMS Section SI 00601.060) – applicable to in-office interviews.