C - Scope of Policy and Staff Compliance

To the extent permitted by and consistent with Department regulations, EOIR personnel will take reasonable steps to ensure meaningful access to programs and activities for persons with LEP, as well as necessary steps to ensure effective communication with individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (“D/HOH”) [3] EOIR is committed to taking appropriate steps to ensure that its communications with individuals who are D/HOH, blind, or have speech disabilities are as effective as its communications with others. This Language Access Plan includes discussion of language access for individuals who are D/HOH because many individuals who are D/HOH use American Sign Language (ASL), a language separate and distinct from the English language, and other individuals use other types of sign language. EOIR will ensure effective communication for individuals who are D/HOH who use ASL, other sign language interpreting, or other auxiliary aids and services consistent with the DOJ LAP, Policy Statement, regarding the requirements of Sections 501, 504, and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. All of these services will be managed at no cost to the individuals with LEP. 

This policy directive is intended only to improve the internal management of EOIR’s language access program, and does not create any right or benefit, substantive, or procedural, enforceable at law or equity by a party against the United States, its agencies, its officers or employees, or any person. Any individual who wishes to raise concerns regarding EOIR’s implementation of this policy may do so by submitting the relevant information to EOIR’s language access coordinator. 

[3] Some EOIR tasks and functions are conducted by contracted personnel and, consequently, contracted personnel may interact with LEP persons. Components should notify contracted personnel of the obligation to ensure nondiscrimination, including compliance with Executive Order 13166. Components should consider contractors and interns having contact with LEP persons when determining who needs to be briefed on their roles and responsibilities under EOIR’s language access policies, plan, and procedures.