RIGHT

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KNOWYOUR Federal Interagency

Working Group on Limited English Proficiency

If you believe you have experiencedNational Origin Discrimination, or wantmore information, please contact:

You can also talk to the supervisor ofthe person you think discriminatedagainst you. You can also talk to acommunity group that works on civilrights issues.

Together, we can help people get thebenefits and services they need, in waysthey can understand.

Sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture, the

United States Department of Health and Human Services, and

the United States Department of Justice.

Do you have trouble with English? Are you unableto speak, read, write, or understand English well?If so, you are Limited English Proficient (LEP).

Federal agencies and organizations that getmoney from the federal government have to takereasonable steps to help people who have troublewith English.

Sometimes, when a government agency or anorganization does not help you because you areLEP, they violate the law. This is called NationalOrigin Discrimination.

EXAMPLES of Possible Discrimination: EXAMPLES of Good Practices:

1The hospital knows that manypeople who cannot understand

English and speak Vietnamese live inthe area. The hospital has interpreterswho are ready and able to help youwhen you go to the hospital foremergency care.

2You call 911 to report a crime. Theoperator connects you quickly to an

interpreter who helps you.

3Your child’s school has manySpanish–speaking parents. The

school knows you speak only Spanish.You should receive the importantinformation or notice in Spanish.

4The food stamp office has aninterpreter, or contacts a telephone

interpreter, to help you. An applicationin your language is given to you.

1You and many people who live inyour area speak Vietnamese and

often go to the hospital for emergencycare. The hospital does not understandthese LEP patients. Most Vietnamesepatients do not understand what thehospital tells them about their medicalcare.

2You call 911 to report a crime. Theoperator does not understand you

and cannot help you.

3Your child’s school sends importantinformation or a notice to you in

English. The school knows you speakonly Spanish. The school refuses toprovide the information to you inSpanish and suggests instead that yourchild interpret the information for you.

4You try to apply for food stamps.The application is in English. You do

not understand the application. TheFood Stamp office workers tell you tocome back with your own interpreter.

There is a Federal law that protects yourcivil rights. The law is called Title VI ofthe Civil Rights Act of 1964.

“If you are mistreated because you are LEP, it may be National Origin Discrimination.”