    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 33 (Monday, August 21, 2000)]
    [Page 1857]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Statement on the Executive Order To Improve Access to Services for
    Persons With Limited English Proficiency

    August 11, 2000

        Today I am issuing an Executive order to help people with limited
    English proficiency (LEP) access Federal services. Many people who are
    eligible for Federal services cannot effectively use those services
    because they are not proficient in English. The Executive order directs
    Federal agencies to improve the language-accessibility of their programs
    by December 11, 2000. This initiative complements our commitment to
    promoting programs to help individuals learn English.
        I am concerned that language barriers are preventing the Federal
    Government and recipients of Federal financial assistance from
    effectively serving a large number of people in this country who are
    eligible to participate in their programs. Failure to systematically
    confront language barriers can lead to unequal access to Federal
    benefits based on national origin and can harm the mission of Federal
    agencies. Breaking down these barriers will allow individuals with
    limited English proficiency to more fully participate in American
    society.
        This Executive order directs Federal agencies to break down language
    barriers by implementing consistent standards of language assistance
    across agencies and among all recipients of Federal financial
    assistance. Under this flexible standard, agencies and recipients must
    take reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to their programs and
    activities, taking into account a variety of considerations. Among the
    factors to be considered are the number or proportion of LEP persons in
    the eligible service population, the frequency with which LEP
    individuals come in contact with the program, the nature and importance
    of the service provided by the program, and the available resources.

    Note: This item was not received in time for publication in the
    appropriate issue.