How Interpreting Agencies Help Local Governments Improve Accessibility

Across the United States, local governments are serving increasingly diverse populations. According to the Migration Policy Institute, more than 27 million U.S. residents are considered limited English proficient (LEP), meaning they may struggle to access essential information in English. At the same time, the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) estimates that more than 37 million American adults have some degree of hearing loss that rely on American Sign Language (ASL) or other communication support due to hearing loss or disability.

For city councils, county health departments, and public transit agencies, ensuring accessibility is no longer optional—it is both a legal requirement and a social responsibility. Professional interpreting services for local government have become essential tools for meeting these needs, strengthening civic engagement, and maintaining compliance with federal law.

This article explores the role of interpreting agencies in helping local governments improve accessibility, comply with Title VI and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and build stronger, more inclusive communities.

Legal and Compliance Framework

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act

Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, any program or activity receiving federal funding must provide meaningful access to individuals with limited English proficiency. Failure to do so can result in compliance reviews, loss of funding, or legal action. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Language Access Program offers guidance, but local governments often struggle to implement these standards consistently.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The ADA requires public entities to ensure effective communication for individuals with disabilities, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing. This includes providing qualified ASL interpreting services for the public sector, captioning, or other auxiliary aids.

Local and State Mandates

In addition to federal law, many states and municipalities have enacted their own language access plans (LAPs) or ordinances to ensure that residents can fully participate in civic life. For example, some cities require interpreters at all public hearings or mandate translation of transit schedules into the top spoken languages.

Recent Policy Changes 

In March 2025, the Trump administration issued Executive Order 14224, declaring English the official language of the United States. This order revoked Executive Order 13166 (2000), which had required federal agencies to improve access for LEP individuals. As a result, the Department of Justice rescinded its longstanding LEP guidance, including the 2002 guide used by many local governments to shape their practices.

The administration also rolled back ADA-related guidance documents, creating uncertainty about auxiliary aids and interpretation standards for people with disabilities (AP News). Additionally, the Department of Education rescinded 2015 rules supporting English learners under Title VI, further complicating compliance expectations (Washington Post).

⚠️ What this means for local governments: While Title VI and the ADA remain federal law, the rollback of federal guidance leaves municipalities with less clarity on enforcement. This heightens the importance of adopting strong internal language access policies and partnering with professional interpreting agencies to reduce compliance risks.

Challenges Faced by Local Governments

While the legal framework is clear, many municipalities face significant obstacles:

• Budget limitations: Hiring full-time staff interpreters for dozens of languages is rarely feasible.
  
  
• Limited bilingual staff: Relying on ad hoc bilingual employees often leads to errors, confidentiality risks, and inconsistent service.
  
  
• Rising demand for ASL and rare languages: Emergency situations, healthcare outreach, or town halls often require immediate access to professional interpreters.
  
  
• Public meetings requiring simultaneous interpreting: City councils and school boards need real-time solutions to ensure participation for all community members.

These challenges highlight why local governments increasingly turn to professional interpreting agencies rather than volunteers or internal staff.

The Role of Professional Interpreting Agencies

Agencies like Language Network provide scalable, reliable solutions for government entities. Their value goes beyond language skills:

• Certified interpreters: Agencies vet and supply interpreters who meet professional standards in both spoken languages and ASL.
  
  
• Accuracy and confidentiality: Unlike ad hoc solutions, agencies ensure interpreters remain neutral and follow confidentiality protocols.
  
  
• Flexible delivery models: Governments can choose on-site interpreting, over-the-phone interpreting, or video remote interpreting depending on the setting and urgency.
  
  
• Compliance support: Agencies understand Title VI and ADA requirements, reducing compliance risks for local governments.
  
  

Benefits for Local Governments

Partnering with an interpreting agency delivers both legal compliance and tangible community benefits:

1. Stronger compliance with federal and state accessibility requirements, including Title VI compliance and ADA mandates.
   
   
2. Greater civic participation by ensuring LEP residents and people with disabilities can fully engage in public meetings and hearings, following Best Practices for Language Access in Public and Community Meetings.
   
   
3. Improved access to critical services, such as county health programs, emergency announcements, and translation and interpreting in public transit systems.
   
   
4. Trust and transparency, which strengthen the relationship between local governments and the communities they serve.
   
   

Real-World Scenarios

• A city council provides Spanish and ASL interpreters during public hearings, increasing attendance and engagement.
  
  
• A county health department uses video remote interpreting (VRI) during a vaccination campaign, ensuring that patients receive accurate medical information.
  
  
• A public transit agency offers multilingual hotlines and translated service updates, improving safety and accessibility for riders.
  
  

These examples demonstrate that accessibility services for local government compliance are more than just legal obligations—they are essential for building inclusive, thriving communities.

Best Practices for Partnering with an Interpreting Agency

Local governments can maximize the value of interpreting services by following proven best practices:

1. Develop a comprehensive Language Access Plan (LAP)
   
   
   • Identify high-demand languages in your community.
     
     
   • Establish protocols for when and how interpreters will be provided.
     
     
   • Learn more in Language Access Plans (LAP) and City Governments.
     
     
2. Train staff on working with interpreters
   
   
   • Educate frontline employees on how to request interpreting support.
     
     
   • Share best practices for interacting with interpreters during public meetings.
     
     
   • See Best Practices for Language Access in Public and Community Meetings.
     
     
3. Leverage technology-enabled interpreting
   
   
   • Use over-the-phone interpreting for quick interactions.
     
     
   • Deploy video remote interpreting for city council meetings or emergencies when on-site interpreters aren’t feasible.
     
     
4. Partner with a trusted agency
   
   
   • Agencies like Language Network specialize in specialized language solutions for government, ensuring consistency and compliance across departments.
     
     

Stronger Communities Through Language Access: A Call to Action for Local Leaders

As U.S. communities continue to grow more diverse, language access under the Civil Rights Act and the ADA has become a defining issue for local governance. Professional interpreting agencies help municipalities move beyond ad hoc solutions, ensuring accessibility, compliance, and stronger civic engagement.

By adopting language access solutions for social services, public meetings, healthcare, and transit systems, governments not only reduce compliance risks but also demonstrate a genuine commitment to language justice in local government.

👉 Local leaders ready to strengthen accessibility should partner with Language Network—a trusted provider of interpreting and translation services dedicated to helping governments build inclusive, connected communities.