Diversity, Equity, 

Inclusion, and Accessibility

Issuance System

DEIA-016

Date: 

 Office: Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility

 Subject: Providing Language Access to Limited English Proficient Individuals

1. PURPOSE. This Issuance establishes the Department of the Treasury language access

plan (LAP) and policy and procedures for providing meaningful access to limited English

proficient (LEP) individuals in compliance with Executive Order (EO) 13166, Improving

Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency.

2. SCOPE. This Issuance applies to all bureaus, offices, and organizations in the

Department, including the Offices of Inspector General. The provisions of this Issuance

shall not be construed to interfere with or impede the authorities or independence of the

Offices of Inspector General. Nothing in this policy is intended to create legal rights for

third parties that do not already exist under a federal statute or the EO 13166.

3. POLICY. The Department of the Treasury recognizes the importance of being able to

communicate effectively with the individuals it serves, including those with limited English

proficiency (LEP), across our many missions and functions. It is the policy of the

Department of the Treasury to meet the requirements of EO 13166 by providing LEP

members of the public with meaningful access to information about its programs and

activities, consistent with, and without unduly burdening, the fundamental mission of the

Department.

4. RESPONSIBILITIES.

a. Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (ODEIA), Civil Rights and

Equal Employment Opportunity (OCRE). Under Treasury Order 102-02,

“Delegation of Authority Concerning Equal Opportunity Programs;” and Treasury

Directive 12-41, “Delegation of Authority Concerning Equal Employment

Opportunity (EEO) Programs;” the ODEIA is responsible for providing guidance and
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oversight for implementing the provisions of EO 13166 and this LAP. To ensure 

consistency and accountability across the agency, OCRE will, among other things:

1) Coordinate efforts to implement the provisions of this LAP; serve as a 

clearinghouse of best practices and opportunities for leveraging resources

across the Department; and, research and disseminate information on 

existing language technologies and the appropriate uses of these 

technologies.

2) Monitor and coordinate language access activities across the Department

and its bureaus.

3) Provide ongoing technical assistance to the bureaus in the development and

monitoring of their LAP.

4) In accordance with Treasury complaint processing procedures, review complaints

filed by members of the public that allege a denial of meaningful language access 

to Treasury’s programs, services, and activities, and if appropriate, make

recommendations for corrective actions.

5) Support the bureaus’ and program offices’ efforts to train their managerial

and front-line employees on language access responsibilities and protocols.

6) Augment existing language services, and facilitate interagency access to existing

Federal resources.

b. Heads of Bureaus shall ensure that their bureau is in compliance with EO 13166 and 

that this policy and the bureau LAP is posted on intranet and internet websites

accessible to employees and members of the public. Copies of the Bureau LAPs will be 

added to the Appendix to this issuance.

5. KEY TERMS AND PROCESSES. In accordance with EO 13166, Treasury’s procedures 

for providing meaningful access to LEP individuals are as follows:

a. Key Terms.

1) Limited English Proficient (LEP) Persons/individuals. Persons/individuals who

do not speak English as their primary language and who have a limited ability to 

read, speak, write, or understand English.

2) Bilingual Persons. Persons who are bilingual are fluent in two languages and are 

able to conduct the business of the workplace in either of those languages. This is 

to be distinguished from proficiency in more than one language. An individual 

who is proficient in a language may, for example, be able to greet an LEP

individual in his or her language, but not conduct agency business in that language. 
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Interpretation and translation require the interpreter to be fluently bilingual, and 

also require additional specific skills as described below in (b).

3) Interpretation and translation. Translation involves written communication. 

Interpretation involves oral communication and requires the immediate oral 

communication of meaning from one language into another. Interpretation 

requires skills different from those needed for translation. Interpreting is a

complex task that combines several abilities beyond language competence in 

order to enable delivery of an effective professional interpretation in a given 

setting. From the standpoint of the user, a successful interpretation is one that 

faithfully and accurately conveys the meaning of the source language orally, 

reflecting the style, register, and cultural context of the source message, without 

omissions, additions, or embellishments on the part of the interpreter.

4) Effective Communication. Communication sufficient to provide the LEP 

individual with substantially the same level of access to services received by

individuals who are not LEP. For example, staff must take reasonable steps to 

ensure communication with an LEP individual is as effective as communications 

with others when providing similar programs and services.

5) Language Assistance Services. Oral and written language services needed to 

assist LEP individuals to communicate effectively with staff, and to provide 

LEP individuals with meaningful access to, and an equal opportunity to

participate fully in, the services, activities, or other programs administered by 

the Department.

6) Meaningful Access. Language assistance that results in accurate, timely, and

effective communication at no cost to the LEP individual.

7) Vital Document. Paper or electronic written material that contains information

that is critical for accessing a component’s program or activities, or is required 

by law.

b. Treasury’s LEP Implementation Responsibilities.

Each Treasury program and activity shall provide access to LEP individuals by

providing timely, quality language assistance services without unduly burdening the 

fundamental mission of the agency.

Individuals who come into contact with the Department of the Treasury should have 

access to our programs regardless of their ability to communicate in English. The 

Department will not require individuals who need language assistance to provide their 

own interpreters; rather, we will provide an interpreter free of charge to any individual 

requesting language assistance or, when it is evident such assistance is necessary to 

ensure that the individual is not disadvantaged.
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The determination of what language services will be readily available will be based 

case-by-case for each program and using the four-factor needs analysis described in 

the Department of Justice, Language Access Assessment and Planning Tool.

The Department of the Treasury will notify the public, as well as Treasury employees 

who come in contact with the public, of the availability of language services and how

to access those services.

Each Treasury bureau is responsible for complying with the following policy principles:

1) Resource Allocation. Treasury bureaus will consider the needs of LEP individuals 

in all of their policies and long-range business and strategic plans. The service 

needs of LEP individuals will be carefully considered in resource allocation. As 

the bureaus deliver more services electronically, the bureaus will continue to

assess the allocation of resources for LEP services.

2) Service Delivery. Treasury bureaus with field offices in contact with the public 

will develop strategies tailored to the needs of the communities to provide efficient

and effective service. Through a variety of outreach activities, field offices will 

also create and maintain cordial working relationships with different LEP 

communities.

3) Bilingual and Bicultural Staffing. The most effective method for providing quality 

service to LEP individuals is through bilingual, bicultural or multilingual publiccontact employees. The Treasury bureaus will identify bilingual, bicultural or 

multilingual hiring needs through the continual assessment of changing language 

and cultural demographics.

4) Qualified Interpreter Services. The Treasury bureaus will use either qualified 

office-based interpreters or telephone interpreters. If the LEP individual prefers to 

use their own interpreter, such as a family member, friend, or third party, the 

bureaus will determine whether the interpreter meets the bureau requirements. In

general, the bureaus will not permit a child under age 18 to serve as an interpreter

(due to the nature and complexities of our business processes).

5) Public Information. The Treasury bureaus recognize the value of public 

information to educate, improve access to our services, to address LEP concerns, 

to promote program integrity, and to build public confidence in the programs we

administer.

6) Written Communications. Treasury bureaus will assess the importance of their

publications, information materials, notices, and forms, and will ensure that vital 

documents are translated.

7) Outreach. Treasury bureaus will maintain open lines of communication for LEP 

individuals and the groups that represent them, to allow feedback about the 
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effectiveness of the bureau language access measures.

8) Training. Treasury bureaus will train their employees, especially those who come

in contact with the public, about the requirements of the EO, and the availability of 

language services within the bureau. The bureaus will also provide training to 

enhance the skills of bilingual employees.

9) Monitoring. Bureaus will collect and track LEP contact data on an ongoing basis to 

determine the needs of the community and to allocate resources accordingly. 

OCRE will investigate any complaints about the denial of services because of 

LEP.

c. Guiding Principles for Bureau LAP Development.

Each Treasury bureau having contact with the public is required to develop a LAP that 

fully incorporates the Treasury LEP policies and principles established by this 

issuance. Bureau LAPs must be based on recent needs assessments. The appropriate 

needs assessment methodology is explained in U.S. Department of Justice, Civil 

Rights Division, Language Access Assessment and Planning Tool for Federally 

Conducted and Federally Assisted Programs, May 2011. OCRE is available to 

discuss the plans and provide feedback through the development process.

Each bureau’s LAP should include the following elements:

1) Responsible Staff. In addition to listing a primary LEP coordinator for the bureau,

the LAP should identify senior management staff, workgroups, committees, or 

other staff who will have the authority and be responsible for developing and 

modifying the office or bureau LAP, as well as establishing and implementing 

operational procedures and guidance. If not designated otherwise, the Bureau 

EEO/Civil Rights Officer will be the responsible staff person;

2) Oversight. Establish protocols for authority and oversight;

3) Notice to Employees. Establish methods for explaining to employees

their responsibilities and available language resources;

4) Prioritization. Include a plan for prioritizing language services based on

importance of services, frequency of use, and demographics;

5) Language Access Procedures and Guidance. Set out the language access

procedures or protocols that staff should follow to provide language services to 

LEP persons encountered in their daily activities, including: recognizing the LEP 

status of an individual, identifying the language spoken, identifying situations 

requiring appropriate language assistance, providing information on how to access 

this language assistance, and recording the contact. Unless countervailing 

considerations are explained in detail, protocols should include limits on the use 
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of family members, friends, or other persons associated with LEP persons to rare 

situations and nonessential information;

6) Quality Control Procedures. Describe quality control procedures that ensure

employees who use their foreign language skills do so in an accurate and 

competent manner, and that contractors provide high quality language 

services;

7) Data Tracking. Outline steps for implementing and maintaining a mechanism 

for collection and management of data relating to non-English needs,

especially through existing databases or tracking systems;

8) Resources. Assess the language access needs and the resources necessary to 

provide language services, identifying existing resources to the extent practical

and describing funding and procurement needs;

9) Outreach to LEP Communities. Describe collaboration or engagement with LEP 

communities and other external stakeholders to assess effectiveness of language

services;

10) Employee Duties. Where appropriate, expand job descriptions to include

interpretation and translation activities within the scope of employees’ duties;

assess these employees’ language abilities to ensure their competency to perform 

language services for particular duties; and describe plans for enhancing

employees’ language abilities;

11) Timeframes. Describe the timeframes and benchmarks for steps to be undertaken;

12) Training. Where appropriate, include a plan for managerial and front-line staff 

training on language access responsibilities, including identifying LEP persons,

accessing available language services, and working with interpreters;

13) Notice to the Public. Provide for notice of free language assistance services

and points of contact for additional information; and inform LEP individuals 

of the benefits, programs, and services for which they may be eligible;

14) Monitoring and Evaluation. Provide for monitoring and evaluating and, if 

appropriate, updating the plan, policies, and procedures, including 

monitoring performance, quality assurance, and internal review processes as

well as evaluating the impact, if any, of demographic shifts.

6. AUTHORITIES. 

a. Executive Order 13166, Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English 

Proficiency, August 11, 2000. 
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b. Attorney General Memorandum - Strengthening the Federal Government's 

Commitment to Language Access (justice.gov), November 21, 2022.

7. REFERENCES.

a. Department of Treasury Guidance to Federal Financial Assistance Recipients

Regarding Title VI Prohibition Against National Origin Discrimination Affecting 

Limited English Proficient Persons, 70 FR 6067, (February 4, 2005).

b. Federal Interagency Working Group on Limited English Proficiency website. 

c. U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Language Access Assessment and 

Planning Tool for Federally Conducted and Federally Assisted Programs, May 2011.

8. OFFICE OF PRIMARY INTEREST. Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and 

Accessibility and Office of Civil Rights and EEO.

9. POLICY REVIEW. The provisions of this Issuance are subject to modifications by 

changes in pertinent statutes and regulations. The applicable provision or provisions shall 

be amended or superseded effective on the dates specified in any statutory or regulatory 

change, and ODEIA shall issue interim guidance addressing the change as soon as 

practicable. This Issuance will be reviewed after five years.

_____________________________

Snider Page

Acting Chief Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and 

Accessibility Officer