Legal Provisions

Beside the clear understanding of the importance for clear communication in any setting, and especially business setting, there are legal provisions that apply to many institutions in regards to the provision of language assistance to their customers.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces certain Federal civil rights in order to make sure that everyone is able to get access to health and human services without being discriminated on the base of race, color, national origin, disability, age, and in some cases, sex and religion. 

One example of discrimination on the base of national origin is to use ineffective venues in order to communicate with clients who have limited English proficiency (LEP). The OCR recognizes the use of professional interpreters and bilingual staff an effective method of communication, and considers the use of family members ands friend as an inappropriate method.

In order to learn more about legal requirements in regards to the assistance for LEP clients, go to   the US Department of Health and Human Services.