Assisting People with Limited English Proficiency

On August 11, 2000, President Clinton signed Executive Order 13166 entitled, "Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency." The Executive Order requires Federal agencies to examine the services they provide, identify any need for services to those with limited English proficiency (LEP), and develop and implement a system to provide those services so LEP persons can have meaningful access to them. The Executive Order also requires that the Federal agencies work to ensure that recipients of Federal financial assistance provide meaningful access to their LEP applicants and beneficiaries.

In compliance with Executive Order 13166, EPA is charged with:

1. drafting Title VI guidance to set forth a general outline for EPA financial assistance recipients to apply in developing guidelines to provide meaningful access to LEP persons who participate in their programs and activities; and
2. drafting and implementing an internal Agency LEP plan by which LEP persons can have meaningful access to EPA programs.

On June 25, 2004, the EPA Office of Civil Rights (now known as the External Civil Rights Office (ECRCO) issued a Policy Guidance Document entitled, "Guidance to Environmental Protection Agency Financial Assistance Recipients Regarding Title VI Prohibition Against National Origin Discrimination Affecting Limited English Proficient Persons" for public comment.

On February 23, 2017, ECRCO published the updated EPA Order 1000.32 "Compliance with Executive Order 13166: Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency". The Order outlines necessary steps that the Agency needs to take in order to provide meaningful language access to limited-English proficient persons.

Informal Input on EPA’s Federally Conducted LEP Program - Due April 14, 2023

• Español (pdf) (107.84 KB)

• عربى (pdf) (269.35 KB)

• 中文: 繁體版 (pdf) (214.94 KB)

• 中文: 简体版 (pdf) (176.27 KB)




• 한국어 (pdf) (160.5 KB)




• Pусский (pdf) (129.64 KB)

• Tiếng Việt (pdf) (112.76 KB)  

• Tagalog (pdf) (116.58 KB)

EPA seeks informal public input about its current program for ensuring meaningful access for persons in the public with limited English proficiency (LEP) to EPA programs, services, and activities.

On November 21, 2022, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland issued “Memorandum to Improve Access to Services for People with Limited Proficiency in English.” The Memorandum requests that federal agencies review their language access practices and policies to strengthen the federal government’s engagement with individuals with LEP. As result of this initiative, EPA is reviewing and updating its policies and practices.

We are seeking your input about how EPA’s current process for providing meaningful access for persons in the public with limited English proficiency (LEP) to EPA programs, services, and activities is working.  Please provide any feedback to LanguageInterpretationTranslationRequest@epa.gov by April 14, 2023.

1. How has EPA provided meaningful access to EPA programs, services, activities for communities with LEP in your area? In what ways  can EPA improve? Please let us know the state, city, county, area code, and the name of your community. 
2. What are the best ways to connect with a community with LEP in your area? Please let us know the state, city, county, area code, and the name of your community. 
3. Please provide examples of how EPA has provided translated materials, documents, and information that communities with LEP need to be meaningfully engaged in EPA activities and services. What types of materials do you recommend EPA translate to provide meaningful access to communities with LEP? 
4. How can EPA best provide needed language interpretation services so that persons with LEP can meaningfully participate in EPA-sponsored events? 
5. Please share additional comments about how EPA can improve how it provides meaningful access for persons with LEP to EPA programs, services, and activities.

Guidance and Materials for EPA and its Recipients

• Executive Order 13166 -- "Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency" (PDF)  
• EPA Order 1000.32, "Compliance with Executive Order 13166: Improving Access to Services to Persons with Limitied English Proficiency" (PDF)
• "Guidance to Environmental Protection Agency Financial Assistance Recipients Regarding Title VI Prohibition Against National Origin Discrimination Affecting Limited English Proficient Persons" as published in the Federal Register on June 25, 2004. 
• LEP.gov -- a federal interagency website providing guidance and linking to information, tools, and technical assistance regarding limited English proficiency and language access for federal agencies, recipients of federal funds, users of federal programs and federally assisted programs, and others.