LEP persons are individuals who do not speak English as their primary language and who have a limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand the English language. LEP statutes and authorities prohibit exclusion from participation in, denial of benefits of, and discrimination under federally assisted and/or conducted programs on the ground of race, color, or national origin.
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of national origin covers program access for LEP persons. These protections are pursuant to Executive Order 13166 entitled, “Improving Access to Services by Persons with Limited English Proficiency” and further affirmed in the USDA Departmental Regulation 4330-005, “Prohibition Against National Origin Discrimination Affecting Persons with Limited English Proficiency in Programs and Activities Conducted by USDA” LEP Action Plan.
Links
- USDA Departmental Regulation 4330-005: Prohibition Against National Origin Discrimination Affecting Persons with Limited English Proficiency in Programs and Activities Conducted by USDA.
- LEP Website promotes a positive and cooperative understanding of the importance of language access to Federal programs and federally assisted programs.
- DOJ LEP Brochure - What Federal Agencies and Federally Assisted Programs Should Know about Providing Services to LEP Individuals (available in multiple languages) contains valuable information for Federal Agencies and Federally assisted programs.
- Know Your Rights Beneficiary Brochure (available in multiple languages) contains information intended for Program Beneficiaries.