Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Resources and Tools

This section includes documents pertaining to persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). This means persons who are unable to communicate effectively in English because their primary language is not English and they have not developed fluency in the English language. A person with Limited English Proficiency may have difficulty speaking or reading English. An LEP person will benefit from an interpreter who will translate to and from the person’s primary language. An LEP person may also need documents written in English translated into his or her primary language so that person can understand important documents related to health and human services. Information on OCR’s work in the area of nondiscrimination on the basis of national origin can be found at www.hhs.gov/ocr/nationalorigin.

LEP Resources and Tools

Teaming up for Language Access Education

(CC) video available on request

Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Resources for Effective Communication

OCR Resources

Other Federal Resources



  • LEP.gov – A clearinghouse for information, tools, and technical assistance on LEP Proficiency and language services for federal agencies, recipients of federal funds, users of federal programs and federally assisted programs, and other stakeholders. (the Federal Interagency Working Group on LEP)

Other Organizational Resources

Please note: External links to other sites are intended to be informational only and do not have the endorsement of HHS and OCR.

Effective Communication in Hospitals
Good medical care depends upon effective communication between patients and providers. Ineffective communication can lead to improper diagnosis and delayed or improper medical treatment. Effective communication with persons who have limited English proficiency, as well as persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, often requires interpreters or other services. Many hospitals are actively taking steps to address these needs. However, hospitals face increasing challenges to meet the communication needs of an increasingly diverse population.To help hospitals meet these challenges, OCR is collaborating with the American Hospital Association (AHA) and its affiliates in an Effective Communication in Hospitals Initiative. OCR also is making information, resources and tools available to all healthcare organizations that assist persons with limited English proficiency, and persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, to help ensure the effective communication that is essential to quality health care for all persons.