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About Limited English Proficiency
The Houston-Galveston metropolitan planning area is home to over a million individuals with limited proficiency in the English language (LEP). The term “LEP” refers to individuals whose first language is not English and who have difficulty reading, writing, speaking, or understanding communication in the English language.
The inability to communicate effectively in English can restrict a person’s access to valuable social benefits and services, make it difficult to understand crucial information intended for the public, and discourage their participation in the planning process.
Title VI Compliance
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000d, et seq.) requires organizations that receive federal financial assistance to develop and implement language assistance strategies to ensure that individuals with limited English proficiency can participate meaningfully in their programs and activities.
In the landmark Supreme Court case Lau v. Nichols (1974), the Court ruled that an organizations’ failure to provide language support to individuals with limited English proficiency could be considered national origin discrimination – a violation of the Title VI statute.
The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) is committed to ensuring that everyone has meaningful access to its programs and activities, including individuals with limited English proficiency.
Language Support Services
To ensure that stakeholders who face communication challenges can participate effectively in its activities, H-GAC offers free American Sign Language (ASL) and oral language interpretation services at its Policy Council meetings, public outreach events, and at other programs conducted by the agency that involve people who do not speak English proficiently. H-GAC also translates important documents into languages commonly spoken by people within each study area.
Individuals who need language assistance services are asked to make a formal request for a language interpreter at least 48 hours (two working days) before an event is scheduled to take place.
Requests for language assistance may be made by calling H-GAC at 713-627-3200, by email to [email protected], or by following any other directions provided by the event organizers.
Click the link below to view H-GAC’s plan for providing language assistance services to the public.