[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 77 (Friday, April 19, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28789-28790]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-08409]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Development of a Universal Symbol for Language Assistance 
Services in Health Settings

AGENCY: Office of Minority Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human 
Services.

ACTION: Request for information.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office 
of Minority Health (OMH) seeks input from language access stakeholders, 
including organizations representing and/or serving communities with 
Limited English Proficiency (LEP), to inform the development of a 
universal symbol informing people about the availability of language 
assistance services in health settings. This is NOT a solicitation for 
proposals or proposal abstracts.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted and received at the address 
provided below, no later than 11:59 p.m. on May 20, 2024.

ADDRESSES: OMH invites the submission of the requested information 
through one of the following methods:
     Preferred method: Submit information through the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online 
instructions for submissions.
     Email: Send comments to [email protected] with the 
subject line ``OMH RFI: Universal Symbol for Language Assistance 
Services in Health Settings.''
    Submissions received after the deadline will not be reviewed. 
Respond concisely and in plain language. You may use any structure or 
layout that presents your information well. You may respond to some or 
all of our questions, and you can suggest other factors or relevant 
questions. You may also include links to online material or interactive 
presentations. Clearly mark any proprietary information and place it in 
its own section or file. Your response will become government property, 
and we may publish some of its non-proprietary content.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leandra Olson, 1101 Wootton Parkway, 
Suite 100, Rockville, MD 20852, [email protected], (301) 348-3577.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Please Note: This request is for information (RFI) and is for 
planning purposes only. It is not a notice for a proposal and does not 
commit the Federal Government to issue a

[[Page 28790]]

solicitation, make an award, or pay any costs associated with 
responding to this announcement. All submitted information shall remain 
with the Federal Government and will not be returned. All responses 
will become part of the public record and will not be held 
confidential. The Federal Government reserves the right to use 
information provided by respondents for purposes deemed necessary and 
legally appropriate. Respondents are advised that the Federal 
Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the 
information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to 
any information submitted. Responses will not be accepted after the due 
date.

I. Background Information

The Office of Minority Health (OMH)

    Authorized under section 1707 of the Public Health Service Act, 42 
U.S.C. 300u-6, as amended, the mission of OMH is to improve the health 
of racial and ethnic minority and American Indian and Alaska Native 
populations through the development of health policies and programs 
that help eliminate health disparities. OMH awards and other activities 
are intended to support the identification of effective policies, 
programs and practices for improving health outcomes and to promote 
sustainability and dissemination of these approaches.

Universal Symbol for Language Assistance Services

    Under Fiscal Year 2023 Appropriations, Congress called upon OMH to 
research, develop, and test methods of informing LEP individuals about 
the availability of language assistance services. The Congressional 
report noted that the goal of this research would preferably be to 
develop a universal symbol informing people about the availability of 
language access services.

II. Request for Information

    Through this RFI, OMH seeks to obtain information from language 
access stakeholders, including organizations representing and/or 
serving communities with LEP, to guide the development and 
implementation of a symbol informing people about the availability of 
language assistance services in health settings, including for health 
services, programs, and/or products.

III. Questions

     What methods do you or your organization currently use to 
inform individuals with LEP about the availability of services in their 
preferred language?
    [cir] How effective are these methods?
     What are the challenges to implementing these methods? Do 
you believe a new graphic symbol informing people about the 
availability of language assistance services would increase the rate at 
which people request language assistance services and thereby increase 
access to information about health services, programs, and/or products?
     Are you aware of any previous or existing symbols used to 
inform people about the availability of language assistance services 
(e.g., used in the health sector or other sectors)?
    [cir] If yes, please share any information you have regarding the 
development and implementation of the symbol, including best practices, 
challenges, and effectiveness or impact.
     What should be considered in the development of a new 
graphic symbol informing people about the availability of language 
assistance services in health settings? Please add any specific 
suggestions you have for the symbol design and usability testing.
     What steps do you recommend for implementing, 
disseminating, and ensuring effectiveness of a new symbol for language 
assistance services, including utilization by LEP individuals, 
healthcare providers, public health departments, and other entities 
engaged in health care?
     Are there frameworks or standards that should be 
considered to support the development, testing, implementation, and 
dissemination of a new symbol for language assistance services?

IV. Definitions

    For the purposes of this RFI, the following working definitions 
apply:
    Language Assistance Services--All oral, written, and signed 
language services needed to assist individuals with LEP and people with 
disabilities to communicate effectively. Examples of language 
assistance services include oral interpretation services and written 
translations of materials.
    Limited English Proficiency (LEP)--An individual who does not speak 
English as their preferred language and who has a limited ability to 
read, write, speak or understand English in a manner that permits them 
to communicate effectively and have meaningful access to and 
participate in the services, activities, programs, or other benefits 
administered in a health setting. Individuals with LEP may be competent 
in English for certain types of communication (e.g., speaking or 
understanding) but have limited proficiency in English in other areas 
(e.g., reading or writing). LEP designations are also context-specific; 
an individual may possess sufficient English language skills to 
function in one setting (e.g., conversing in English with coworkers), 
but these skills may be insufficient in other settings (e.g., 
addressing court proceedings). An individual who is deaf or hard of 
hearing may also have limited proficiency in spoken or written English.

    Dated: April 10, 2024.
Leandra Olson,
Policy Team Lead, Office of Minority Health.
[FR Doc. 2024-08409 Filed 4-18-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-29-P