[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.