Newcomers, Immigrants, Refugees, & International Ed LibGuide: Language Access

The primary goal of Gateway’s Language Access Plan (LAP) is to eliminate or mitigate Limited-English Proficiency as a barrier to accessing Gateway’s programs, activities, or events. In this regard, priorities will focus on identifying the most common and the most critical language access needs. 

Ultimately, the policy is intended to provide meaningful language access to individuals with Limited English Proficiency needs. Accordingly, Gateway will continue to work to ensure compliance with the goals of nondiscrimination as required by Executive Order (EO) 13166 and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Language Access Policy (H-110)

In accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Gateway will take reasonable measures to provide meaningful access to those with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) in the provision of all activities, services, and programs offered or sponsored by the college, to the extent required by law. For the purposes of this policy, LEP is defined as “individuals who do not speak English as their primary language and who have a limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English.” Meaningful access is defined as language assistance that results in accurate, timely, and effective communication to the LEP individual. For LEP individuals, meaningful access denotes access that is not unreasonably restricted, delayed, or inferior as compared to access to programs or activities provided to English proficient individuals.

The college will ensure meaningful communication with persons who are LEP and their authorized representatives, as well as providing for communication of information contained in vital documents. Gateway will provide all interpreters, translators, and other aids needed to comply with this policy without cost to persons accessing services. The college will provide language assistance through the use of competent bilingual staff, contracts or formal arrangements with organizations providing interpretation or translation services, or technology and telephonic interpretation services.

Requests for language access services should be made to the Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights.

Meaningful Language Access

• Language assistance that results in accurate, timely and effective communication at no cost to the LEP individual. 

• For LEP individuals, meaningful access denotes access that is not significantly restricted, delayed or inferior, as compared to programs or activities provided to English proficient individuals.

• Access requirements aren’t standardized and depend on the organization and services offered.

Public Policy Informing LAP 

• Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) signed into law in 2014, English Language Learners are identified as customers with a barrier to employment and should receive priority of service for individualized and training services. 

• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 - Example of discrimination of covered under Title VI is denial of language services to English learners
• Executive Order (EO) 13166 - "Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency”

​​​​​Requires all agencies receiving any federal financial assistance to ensure meaningful language access & develop and implement language access plans

Interpretation & Translation

What is the difference between Interpretation versus translation?

• Interpretation is spoken language while translation is written 

Gateway provides an interpreter for any language needed through a 3rd party Language Access Line. 

First language access line provided interpretation services: French

 Agencies are also required to translate select vital documents into specific languages. 

The identified languages are those that agencies identify in their plans as the most widely used by English Language Learners (ELL) who access their services.

Spanish is the identified most widely used language by ELL