The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH) has released its 2024-2026 Language Access Plan that outlines strategies to advance language access in the department’s policies, programs, and operations.
The overarching goal of the OMH Language Access Plan (OMH LAP) is to promote meaningful access and engagement for all individuals and organizations that utilize OMH resources. For the purposes of this OMH LAP, language access is inclusive of access for individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) and/or disabilities, including persons who rely on sign language to communicate, people who are deaf or hard of hearing, blind or low vision, or have speech-related or other disabilities.
Throughout FY 2024 – 2026, the Office of Minority Health aims to focus efforts on five priority activities for advancing language access, including:
1. Enhancing awareness and promotion of the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) in Health and Health Care
2. Increasing utilization of translation and interpretation services
3. Improving accessibility of OMH resources and convenings
4. Researching, developing, and testing methods of informing LEP individuals about the availability of language access services
5. Continuing OMH engagement in HHS language access efforts, including serving on the HHS Language Access Steering Committee
Read the plan to learn more about OMH’s commitment to facilitating meaningful access to resources for persons with limited English proficiency (LEP). Check out the 2023 HHS Language Access Plan to learn about broader departmental efforts to support individuals and communities with LEP, and access LEP resources in multiple languages.
Visit OMH’s Language Access webpage to learn more about language access initiatives and find other language access resources.