Resources for Planning Language Access Services
The Guide to Developing a Language Access Plan, from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, identifies ways that providers can assess their programs and develop language access plans.
The Health Care Language Services Implementation Guide, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, provides comprehensive guidance on providing language access in healthcare settings. [Please note, this is accessible only in the Firefox internet browser.]
Assessing Translation—A Manual for Requesters provides a roadmap to help healthcare organizations improve the quality of their translated materials.
LEP.gov provides Federal guidance in providing language access.
The American Translators Association allows you to search for local translators (for written materials) and interpreters (for verbal communication).
The Certification Commission for of Healthcare Interpreters has a searchable registry of certified interpreters, as does the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters.
Resources on Working With Interpreters
Qualified Interpreting for Quality Health Care (20-minute video)
Working with Professional Interpreters (19-minute video)
Working Effectively With an Interpreter (2-page fact sheet, link is at bottom of page)
Introduction to Interpreting Services (1-hour course on working with interpreters for deaf people)
TeamSTEPPS Limited English Proficiency videos include
- Techniques to include interpreters as part of the team (<1 minute).
- Opportunity video (6 minutes): when interpreters are not used.
- Success video (6 minutes): when interpreters are used.
Resources for Multilingual, Easy-to-Read Materials
The National Institutes of Health's MedlinePlus provides multilingual materials by language and by health topic.
Health Information Translations provides materials in 15 different languages.
Health Information Toolkit provides plain language health education videos and medicine instructions in 12 different languages.
National Center for Farmworker Health has low literacy, one-page handouts in English and Spanish, as well as other health education resources.
Fast Facts videos provide information in American Sign Language on a variety of health topics.