Thank you for visiting our industry resources page! Here you will be able to view and download a number of helpful resource materials related to the language services industry – from interactive videos, to research studies, to frequently asked questions. We’ll be updating this page often so be sure to visit it frequently. Enjoy!

Crosswalk of the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) in Health and Health Care to The Joint Commission Hospital Accreditation Standards

This document compares the Office of Minority Health’s National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) in Health and Health Care to The Joint Commission’s 2015 Standards for the Hospital Accreditation Program.

A Crosswalk of the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) in Health and Health Care to The Joint Commission Ambulatory Health Care Accreditation Standards

This document compares the Office of Minority Health’s National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) in Health and Health Care to The Joint Commission’s 2015 Standards for the Ambulatory Health Care Accreditation Program.

Advancing Effective Communication, Cultural Competence and Patient-and Family-Centered Care: A Roadmap for Hospitals

This monograph was developed by The Joint Commission to inspire hospitals to integrate concepts from the communication, cultural competence and patient- and family-centered care fields into their organizations. The Roadmap for Hospitals provides recommendations to help hospitals address unique patient needs, meet the patient-centered communication standards and comply with related Joint Commission requirements.

Video: Promoting Health Equity and Patient-Centered Care

This brief video (less than 10 minutes) contains a discussion and slide presentation of The Joint Commission Standards and other resources available to promote health equity and patient-centered care.

Video: Improving Patient-Provider Communication

This video series highlights what is required by The Joint Commission Standards, as well as federal civil rights laws, with respect to patients who are Deaf / Hard of Hearing or Limited English Proficient.

Hospitals, Language and Culture: A Snapshot of the Nation

The Joint Commission conducted this cross-sectional qualitative study, funded by the California Endowment.  It was designed to gather information about how hospitals are addressing the cultural and language needs of their diverse populations.

Americans with Disabilities Act Title III Regulations (Revised 2010)

The Department of Justice’s revised regulations for Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as published in the Federal Register on September 15th, 2010.

Executive Order 13166: Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency

Executive Order 13166 requires federal agencies to examine the services they provide, identify any need for services to those with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) and develop and implement a system to provide those services so LEP persons can have meaningful access to them.

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Legal Manual

To assist federal agencies that provide financial assistance, the wide variety of recipients that receive such assistance and the actual and potential beneficiaries of programs receiving federal assistance, the U.S. Department of Justice has published a Title VI Legal Manual. The Title VI Legal Manual sets out Title VI legal principles and standards.

National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) in Health and Health Care: A Blueprint for Advancing and Sustaining CLAS Policy and Practice

The enhanced National CLAS Standards, from the Office of Minority Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, are intended to advance health equity, improve quality and help eliminate health care disparities by providing a blueprint for individuals and health and health care organizations to implement culturally and linguistically appropriate services.

Language Access Assessment and Planning Tool for Federally Conducted and Federally Assisted Programs

Published by the U.S. Department of Justice, this planning tool serves as a model for providing meaningful access to Limited English Proficient individuals.

Common Language Access Questions, Technical Assistance and Guidance for Federally Conducted and Federally Assisted Programs

Published by the U.S. Department of Justice, this document details the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions regarding language access.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Protection of Limited English Proficient (LEP) Individuals Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title VI Regulations

This PDF guide provides answers to some of the most commonly asked questions regarding the protection of LEP individuals under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title VI Regulations.

Commonly Asked Questions and Answers Regarding Executive Order 13166

Published by the U.S. Department of Justice, this document details the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions regarding Executive Order 13166.

Straight Talk: Model Hospital Policies and Procedures on Language Access

This document addresses issues of language access related to immigrants and visitors to the United States who are protected under civil rights law from discrimination based on national origin.  It was written by Melinda Paras of Paras and Associates, produced by California Health Care Safety Net Institute and sponsored by California Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems.

Providing Health Care to Limited English Proficient (LEP) Patients: A Manual of Promising Practices

This document is a manual on how some community health centers, of varying LEP populations and organizational sizes, have addressed the needs of their LEP patients.  It outlines the steps they have taken to improve services and gives ideas and resources on how other community clinics and health centers may be able to do the same.

Interpreting: Getting It Right – A Guide to Buying Interpreting Services

This straightforward brochure, published by the American Translators Association (ATA), explains the where, why and how of professional interpreting services.  It’s a quick read that offers practical, hands-on information for those responsible for purchasing interpreting services.

Translation: Getting It Right – A Guide to Buying Translation Services

The suggestions in this resource guide, also published by the American Translators Association (ATA), are aimed at reducing stress and helping buyers of translation services get the most out of their budget.

Translation: Standards for Buying A Non-Commodity

This brochure published by the ATA, which is a follow-up to the “Translation: Getting It Right” guide, explores how translation standards can help buyers and sellers of translation services.

The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Standard Practice Paper: Video Remote Interpreting

This paper provides a framework of basic, respectable standards for RID members’ professional work and conduct with consumers.  The paper also provides specific information about the practice setting (video remote interpreting).

Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) Fact Sheet

Learn more about CCHI, a 501(c)(6) organization whose mission is to develop and administer a national, valid, credible, vendor-neutral certification program for healthcare interpreters, by downloading this fact sheet.

Contract Interpreter Quick Facts

This one-sheet provides facts and statistics about independently contracted interpreters, published by the Contract Interpreter Information Center (the Voice of Independents).

Language Use in the United States: 2011 (American Community Survey Reports)

This report, released by the U.S. Census Bureau, details the number of people speaking languages other than English at home, and their ability to speak English by selected social and demographic characteristics.

U.S. Census 2011 Language Mapper

The 2011 Language Mapper, released by the U.S. Census Bureau, shows where people speaking specific languages other than English live.  The tool uses data collected through the American Community Survey from 2007 to 2011.

Medical Interpreting Standards of Practice; Developed by: International Medical Interpreters Association (IMIA) and Education Development Center, Inc.

These standards of practice were developed to be a vital evaluation and competency tool for professional interpreters all over the country.

National Council on Interpreting in Health Care’s (NCIHC’s) National Standards of Practice for Interpreters in Health Care

These standards of practice are intended to be used as a reference by interpreters and those who work with, train and employ interpreters.

American Translators Association Code of Ethics and Professional Practice

The Code of Ethics and Professional Practice accepted by all members of the American Translators Association as their ethical and professional duty.