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When it comes to sign languages, the most common one you’ll come across in the United States is American Sign Language (ASL), but it’s far from the only one. Depending on the audience you serve, you may need an interpreter for the different types of sign language used in a specific area.  In this article, we’ll review some of the most commonly used sign languages in the U.S.. This information will give you a better understanding of the diversity of sign languages and help you make informed choices about the sign language interpreting services you may need. Table of Contents - The Evolution of American Sign Language - Different Types of Sign Language Commonly Used in the U.S. - ASL - Regional Varieties of ASL - Signed Exact English - Pidgin Signed English - Tactile Signed - Home Signs - Working with an ASL Interpreter - Frequently Asked Questions About the Different Types of Sign Language - Summary While various sign languages have existed for centuries, standardization came much later, especially in comparison to their spoken counterparts. As deaf and hard-of-hearing students began to engage in formal education here in the United States in the early 19th century, they adopted a modified variant of French Sign Language (though lip-reading served as the predominant mode of instruction until the 1960s, when deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals successfully advocated against this practice). Over time, this modified dialect of French Sign Language (LSF, or Langue des Signes Française) would eventually evolve into the modern ASL used commonly in English-speaking America. Today, the two languages are not mutually intelligible. In fact, there are more than 300 different signed languages, with as much variation as you would find among the world’s spoken languages. Given the fact that it was standardized fairly recently, there’s still a lot of regional variance across dialects of ASL, and many individuals who become deaf or hard-of-hearing late in life may not use it with native-level fluency, despite it being their primary mode of communication. As a result, it’s particularly important to be knowledgeable about the different kinds of sign languages used commonly among deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in your locale.  The United States is made up of a diverse population, and as such, uses a variety of sign language types based on region or disability. Here are some of the more common types of sign language used in the U.S.. This is the primary language of deaf and hard-of-hearing sign language users in the United States and English-speaking Canada. Derived from French Sign Language, ASL is estimated to draw a little more than half of its signs from Old French Sign Language.   A common misconception among English speakers who aren’t familiar with the intricacies of sign language is that ASL speakers simply spell out English words and sentences in sign form; however, this is far from the case. ASL’s grammar is significantly different from English, so it’s important to make sure you’re working with an interpreter with a deep knowledge of ASL. Since ASL was standardized fairly recently, there are several regional dialects of the language used among deaf and hard-of-hearing communities throughout the United States. Just as somebody from New York City might speak English a bit differently from somebody born and raised in Milwaukee, there are differences in the ASL used by individuals from different parts of the country. Some regional differences may include variations in vocabulary, signing speed, or the influence of local spoken languages. These regionalisms can impact comprehension, especially when an interpreter and client are from different parts of the country. Likewise, dialects like Black American Sign Language utilize different slang, phrases, and accents that interpreters need to keep in mind when interpreting. While ASL and its regional varieties are all derived from French Sign Language, Signed Exact English is a one-for-one manner of rendering English into a signable format. Signed Exact English utilizes English words and grammar exactly, with signs as the primary medium.   In Signed Exact English, speakers utilize ASL signs for words and fingerspelling, placing them in the same phrase order and sentence structure as English. This form of the language is not particularly common nowadays, thanks to the widespread acceptance of ASL in deaf education in the latter half of the 20th century. However, some individuals do indeed utilize it, so it’s important to be aware of its existence; some people who become deaf or hard-of-hearing later in life may prefer to use Signed Exact English instead of ASL, since they’re already accustomed to the grammar and spelling of English. SEE is sometimes used in educational settings where the goal is to reinforce written and spoken English comprehension alongside signed communication. Pidgin Signed English is a blend of ASL and English, used by individuals who may be transitioning from spoken English to ASL or by those who interact frequently with both hearing and deaf communities. Unlike ASL, which has its own distinct grammar and syntax, Pidgin Signed English incorporates elements of English grammar and word order, making it a more accessible form of communication for those familiar with English, such as those who lose their hearing later in life.  PSE typically involves the use of ASL signs in English word order, and may also include more fingerspelling and mouthing of English words than traditional ASL. This mode of communication is particularly common among individuals who become deaf later in life and are more accustomed to English, as well as among hearing individuals who are learning ASL. PSE is not formally taught in most educational institutions but often develops organically in mixed communities of deaf and hearing individuals. Tactile signing is a communication method primarily used by individuals who are deafblind, and rely on touch to convey sign language. Deafblind individuals and interpreters must physically touch so that they can communicate, as the deafblind individual will be unable to see the interpreter’s signs. This approach includes several methods, such as hand-over-hand signing, where the receiver’s hands lightly touch the signer’s hands to read the signs through movement and touch. This method used often depends on the individual’s preferences and level of residual vision or hearing. Home sign systems are gestural communication methods often spontaneously created by deaf children who aren’t exposed to adequate amounts of ASL, or other standardized sign language. When deaf children are isolated from other deaf individuals, they may develop their own signs for certain concepts for which they don’t have the standardized lexicon to express adequately. Adult speakers may continue to use these signs to some extent as they grow up and are exposed to formal sign languages, or they may eventually drift away, so it’s important for interpreters to be aware of them. Home signs serve as crucial tools for communication in the absence of formal sign language education. In some cases, they may form the foundation for a child’s later learning of ASL or another sign language. When you’re requesting interpreting services from a language service provider, you may need to work with a sign language interpreter who is familiar with a sign language variant other than ASL, such as Signed Exact English (SEE) or a particular regional dialect of ASL. Because of the robust variety of sign languages used throughout the US, it’s common for sign language interpreters to engage in an informal conversation with the deaf or hard-of-hearing individual prior to beginning the formal interpretation. This allows them to gauge the individual’s unique speech style and ensure that they’re a good match for the individual as an interpreter. No, there is no universal sign language. Just as spoken languages differ by country and culture, so do signed languages. Each sign language develops organically within deaf communities, influenced by local customs, history, and education systems. However, an auxiliary system called International Sign is sometimes used in international settings, such as at global conferences or during international travel. While helpful in some contexts, International Sign is not a fully developed language but it serves as a tool for communication between users of different sign languages. Working with sign language interpreters ensures that deaf and hard-of-hearing people have equal access to communication, services, and opportunities. Interpreters help bridge the gap between spoken words and sign language, making it possible for everyone to participate fully, whether in government settings, schools, workplaces, or public events. Providing qualified interpreting services is not only a matter of compliance with accessibility laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), but also a key step toward creating inclusive, respectful environments that recognize the value of Deaf culture and effective communication through hand gestures, facial expressions, and body language. There are over 300 documented sign languages worldwide, each with its own grammar, hand gestures, facial expressions, and body movements. Some of the most commonly used sign languages include:
- American Sign Language (ASL): widely used in the U.S. and parts of Canada.
- British Sign Language (BSL): the primary sign language in the United Kingdom.
- Chinese Sign Language (CSL): used throughout China, with regional variations.
- Spanish Sign Language (LSE, from the Spanish name Lengua de Signos Española): used in Spain and differs from Latin American sign languages.
- Japanese Sign Language (JSL): recognized as a natural language in Japan.
- New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL): one of New Zealand’s official languages.
Each belongs to its own sign language family, similar to how spoken languages can be grouped into families like Romance or Germanic languages.
No, deaf people across different countries—and even regions within the same country—often use their own sign language. For example, ASL and BSL are not mutually intelligible, despite both being used in English-speaking countries. Additionally, factors such as educational background, access to a school for the deaf, and exposure to deaf culture can influence which sign language or variation a person uses. Some hard-of-hearing people may rely more on spoken words, lip reading, or manual alphabets, while others prefer full immersion in their native sign language. In sign languages, facial expressions, body movements, and handshapes are essential parts of communication. They are not just emotional cues—they serve grammatical and syntactic purposes. For example, raising your eyebrows can turn a sentence into a question in ASL, and the tilt of your body can indicate the subject of a sentence. These non-manual markers are critical to conveying tone, intent, and grammatical structure in a way that spoken words alone cannot replicate. There are several different types of sign language used throughout the United States. While the primary sign language used in the country is ASL, there are several varieties of sign languages to keep in mind as you’re seeking out sign language interpreting. Understanding which type of sign language someone uses can help you enhance communication and avoid misunderstandings during critical conversations. If you’re looking to make your services more accessible, reach out to us for sign language interpreting services and language accessibility services. Avantpage has a network of specialized sign language interpreters who can help you connect with deaf and hard-of-hearing clients or constituents — contact us today at [email protected] or (530) 750-2040 to learn more about how we can connect you to a sign language interpreter in as little as four seconds.

It’s not uncommon for students to struggle with subjects like math and science. But sometimes the problem isn’t the math that they’re actually struggling with: It’s the language they’re being taught in. All too often, English language learners (ELLs) at nearly every level of the United States education system fall behind in school due to language gaps that make it difficult for them to fully understand the topics being explained in the classroom, whether it’s basic arithmetic in an elementary school math class or cell division in a high school biology course. This ultimately makes assessing English language learners a significant challenge for teachers to overcome. While English language learners may perform well in subjects taught in their native languages, English-only instruction can delay their learning and lead to poor performance in subjects like math, science, history, and more.  Because of this, it’s critical for educators to conduct thorough and accurate assessments of their English language skills and development, so that they can provide ELLs with the extra support they need to make the most out of their education. At the same time, it’s also important to conduct fair content assessments to gauge how much of the classroom material they actually understand. Fairly assessing English language learners is the key to providing an equitable education to students from diverse linguistic backgrounds. In this blog post, we’ll look at the basics of assessing English language learners’ mastery of classroom subject matter, covering the key challenges that might arise in grading the work of ELLs and the accommodations schools can make for ELLs in response to these assessments. Table of Contents - Who Are English Language Learners (ELLs)? - Changes in Assessing ELLs - Principles of Fair Assessments for ELLs - Legal and Policy Framework - Accommodations and Strategies for Assessing English Language Learners - Building a School-wide System for ELL Success - Summary According to the National Center for Education Statistics, about 10% of students in US public schools are considered English language learners—that’s more than five million students. These numbers vary from state to state, with about 20% of Texas public school students classified as ELLs and just under 1% of West Virginia public school students. But who exactly can be considered an English language learner? As the term suggests, an ELL is any student who is learning English as a second or other language. For example, a five-year-old who only speaks Spanish upon starting kindergarten in a US school would be classified as an ELL. In addition to these newcomers enrolling in school for the first time ever, ELLs make up a diverse community of learners, such as: The vast majority of ELLs speak Spanish as their primary language—according to Colorín Colorado, which offers resources for teachers of ELLs, upwards of 70% of ELLs speak Spanish as their native tongue. But as a group, there are more than 400 different languages spoken by ELLs nationwide, with Arabic, Chinese, and Vietnamese making up a significant portion. In short, ELLs make up a diverse group of students, from young learners enrolling in school for the first time to older students who have already taken classes in their native language in their home country. Assessing English language learners on their understanding of academic content presents unique challenges that often go beyond language proficiency. Limited proficiency in English can skew students’ results on tests and other classwork—for example, a student may have a strong understanding of the basic principles of mathematics, but if they aren’t able to read and understand instructions or word questions written in English, they’ll likely struggle to come up with the correct answer.  When it comes to standardized testing, these skewed results can have an impact on their academic future, such as whether or not they are placed in remedial or advanced courses later on (or even whether or not they’re held back at a certain grade level). Likewise, poor test results can even lead to a misdiagnosis of certain learning disabilities—a significant portion of ELLs are misdiagnosed with learning disorders, further delaying them from receiving an education at the level that they’re really at. Additionally, teachers may not feel adequately prepared to support their ELLs in the classroom, and may struggle to determine which errors are a result of their linguistic abilities and which are a result of struggling with the actual material. Because the result of traditional assessments can be skewed by a student’s limited English proficiency, many ELLs find themselves at a disadvantage. That’s why it’s essential to design assessments that accurately reflect what students know and can do, independent of their English language development. Here are three principles of fair assessment for ELLs:
In addition to the principles outlined above for fairly assessing English language learners’ content mastery, there are several federal and state regulations that provide a framework for assessing English language learners: Additionally, parents of ELLs (or former ELLs) may have limited English proficiency themselves. Federal regulations require schools to provide parents with adequate information about their children’s academic performance in their primary language—this means schools may need to provide interpreting services during parent-teacher conferences or translations of relevant documents, such as Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) or translations of relevant documents. When it comes time to test students on material learned in the classroom, there are several accommodations teachers can make for assessing English language learners, such as: Teachers should also consider the needs of their ELLs when developing the assessments themselves. By using thoughtful, inclusive strategies, educators can create assessments that are both accessible and academically rigorous for ELLs. Here are a few examples of classroom strategies to help educators with assessing English language learners: A successful education isn’t just about the student-teacher relationship—the school system is a network of students, teachers, administrators, parents, and other parties who must all come together to help children learn to the best of their ability. It’s important to partner with parents of ELLs to ensure that they’re playing an active role in your child’s learning. Given that parents of ELLs often have limited English proficiency themselves, that means making accommodations to enable them to participate to the same extent as any other parent would, such as: These measures will help parents feel more involved in their child’s learning. But there are also measures administrators can take to make sure staff are able to provide thorough support to students: Together, faculty, staff, and parents can work to ensure that your school is assessing English language learners fairly and accurately. Assessing English language learners isn’t always easy—teachers have to make certain accommodations and modifications to assessments, which can be especially time-consuming on top of the other expectations of school teachers. But these adjustments are absolutely critical to ensuring fair and equitable access to education for all children. Accommodations in assessing English language learners aren’t just “special treatment.” They’re a matter of equity and inclusion. By adopting assessment strategies that accurately evaluate your students’ knowledge, you can make sure they’re getting the most out of their education. Looking to improve how your school supports ELLs? Start by rethinking your assessment and accommodation strategies with equity in mind. At Avantpage, we can provide consultation on language access and language services such as translations and interpretation to help you support the students who need it most. Fill out this form today for a free quote or contact us at [email protected] or (530) 750-2040 to learn more.

Desktop Publishing (DTP) Services are an important component of both print and digital translation. DTP refers to the creation and layout of documents using a personal computer as opposed to a commercial design/printing setup. DTP translation services are integrated during the translation process, and use specialized software to generate layouts and produce printed and digital materials.  In this article, we’ll explore how DTP services support translation and play a vital role in producing culturally accurate, professional-quality materials across industries. Table of Contents - What Are Desktop Publishing Services? - Industries and Use Cases for DTP Services - Why are DTP Services Important? - Translated Languages Pose Challenges to DTP Specialists - Graphic Design, Page Format and Fonts: Part of the Desktop Publishing Services Process - Why Use Professional Desktop Publishing Services? - Frequently Asked Questions About Desktop Publishing Services - Conclusion: Equitable Desktop Publishing Services Desktop publishing services involve using software tools to design documents such as brochures, flyers, reports, eBooks, and more. Professionals in DTP focus on layout consistency, typography, image placement, and design elements to produce polished, high-quality content that’s ready for print or digital distribution. DTP first appeared in the early eighties. When the Apple LaserWriter printer and Aldus’ Pagemaker software debuted in 1985, desktop publishing took off since anyone with the technology and the software could suddenly create professional-looking printed pages, complete with graphics and different fonts. Today, DTP is used across many industries, from healthcare marketing departments creating polished brochures to government entities designing internal reports and manuals. Through the use of DTP software, translation organizations can format and re-create foreign language page design/layouts both for print and Internet use, without compromising the message and feel of the original material.  DTP specialists work carefully to ensure that a culturally accurate and appropriate message is reflected through the use of graphics, fonts and design elements. While translation remains a key application of DTP, many organizations use these services for: Desktop Publishing (DTP) services are essential for maintaining the visual integrity and cultural appropriateness of translated documents across languages and formats. Whether you're localizing marketing materials, catalogs, or healthcare forms, professional DTP layout and formatting ensure that text, graphics, and design elements remain clear, functional, and appropriately adapted to the language and reading expectations of the target market. By combining the expertise of linguists, designers, and project managers, multilingual desktop publishing delivers high-quality, print- and digital-ready content that enhances readability, preserves brand consistency, and meets industry standards across global platforms. Translating files into other languages can wreak all kinds of havoc on original layouts, graphics and formatting.  Photo captions, graphs, forms or other illustrations may be inadvertently repositioned, truncated or even lost altogether.  Because some languages take up more space than others when written, the ratio of text to white space can vary widely from language to language.  Bulleted lists, hyphenation, paragraph breaks, spacing and other graphic design elements may all be negatively affected in the transition from one language to another. One other aspect of DTP services is the culturally appropriate use of color and imagery. What is perfectly acceptable in one culture may be inadvertently offensive or have negative connotations in another. For this reason, it’s important to take cultural norms into account when translating page layouts for print or digital materials. Professional translation organizations will provide multilingual DTP services to ensure that each client’s translated files are completely aligned with the target language’s visual layout and design requirements.  Formatting, punctuation, hyphenation, captions, illustrations, graphic design elements – every detail must be reproduced accurately when presented in the target language. DTP services should accurately reflect local cultural norms, provide accurate text-to-white-space ratios, and ensure that order forms, feedback forms, client contact forms and hyperlinks are fully functioning in the new target language. DTP services are used to create digital media such as web pages, downloadable information sheets, brochures and other PDF documents. Printed pieces such as flyers, handouts, brochures, signage, forms and other hard-copy materials are also formatted for printing using DTP software, design and layout services. Formatting a document or design in a language you don’t know can be challenging. Hiring a professional service offers several advantages: While desktop publishing (DTP) focuses on the layout and formatting of documents, localization ensures the content is culturally appropriate for the target market. A professional DTP process can include localization to adapt translated documents to local norms, design preferences, and reading habits. Learn more about how the best website localization services improve accessibility. Professional desktop publishing services typically support a wide range of file formats, including Adobe InDesign, PowerPoint, Excel, Microsoft Publisher, PDF, Canva, and others. This flexibility ensures your content is compatible with the tools you use for digital and print design. Linguists ensure that the translated content is accurate and appropriate, while the desktop publishing team focuses on typesetting, design, and layout. Close collaboration between linguists and designers guarantees that the final product is both linguistically accurate and visually coherent. Typesetting ensures that text is aligned, spaced, and styled correctly to enhance readability. Poor typesetting can negatively impact how your translated document is perceived by your audience, especially in languages with complex scripts or right-to-left text orientation. Multilingual desktop publishing teams can format a variety of materials, including catalogs, marketing materials, manuals, product packaging, eBooks, and presentations. Brochure and document design services are among the most commonly requested types, and Avantpage can work in the service directly into the translation process for a seamless final delivery. Outsourcing DTP to a professional desktop publishing service provider ensures access to experienced designers, linguists, and QA specialists. This is especially beneficial for complex, multilingual projects where industry-standard tools and workflows are required. Yes, templates are often used to maintain brand consistency and speed up the design process. Your desktop publishing team can work with your existing templates or create new ones that are optimized for digital and print design. Quality assurance involves a detailed review of layout, formatting, images, text placement, hyperlinks, and fonts. This ensures your translated document looks as professional as the original and functions correctly in every format. Avantpage’s in-house review team carefully proofreads documents to ensure they meet the highest quality assurance standards. Absolutely. Healthcare organizations rely on high-quality materials like multilingual patient forms, educational brochures, and compliance documents. Ensuring readability, accuracy, and visual clarity is crucial in this industry. Look for a service provider with experience in your industry, access to professional desktop publishing services, and a structured workflow that includes language services, design, and quality assurance. Avantpage has experience with multilingual desktop publishing and uses industry-standard software like Adobe InDesign for complex layouts, PowerPoint for presentations, and Microsoft Publisher for simpler documents. Contact us for a free quote on professional DTP services. Image: Sean MacEntee Whether you're preparing multilingual marketing materials, designing internal documents, or creating ready-to-print flyers, desktop publishing services ensure your final product looks polished and professional. By combining design expertise with cultural and linguistic awareness, professional DTP services help businesses communicate clearly and effectively, no matter the language or medium.

A truly accessible website does more than translate, it transforms. The best website localization services ensure every element of your digital experience, from navigation menus to multimedia files, is intuitive and inclusive for all users, regardless of their language or ability. Multilingual visitors shouldn’t have to navigate English-only dropdowns or broken links; the best localization services guarantee a seamless, welcoming experience from the first click. Table of Contents - Translation vs. Localization: A Quick Clarification - Why Full-Suite Website Localization Outperforms Simple Translation - Making WCAG Part of the Localization Process - What Are the Best Website Localization Services? - What Happens When You Get It Right? - Why Website Localization Matters and Common Mistakes to Avoid - How to Choose a Localization Service Partner - Inclusive Language. Inclusive Design. Inclusive Results. Translation converts words, but the best website translation and localization services adapt your entire website to feel natural and familiar for your target audience. This includes adjusting images, colors, measurements, and cultural references, so your site speaks their language in both words and experience. The best professional website localization services go beyond words to integrate language accessibility, cultural nuance, and scalability. They combine human expertise with technology to ensure your site meets language and WCAG standards, while evolving with your content needs, delivering an inclusive digital experience that respects all users. They do this by: The right provider combines automation with thoughtful human review, because while AI can speed up workflows, understanding requires empathy. Accessible localization means weaving accessibility into every step: navigation, media, formatting, and language. The best multilingual website localization services provide localized alt text, audio descriptions, keyboard-friendly navigation, bidirectional language support, and plain language design principles to ensure your website is usable by everyone. This isn’t about adding accessibility later. It’s about building it in from the start. At Avantpage, the best website localization services come from a careful balance of cutting-edge AI technology and dedicated human expertise. Our proprietary AI workflows and automations, developed in-house by our IT team, streamline processes to reduce overhead and speed up delivery, so your project stays on time and on budget. But technology alone isn’t enough. That’s why we have a team of on-staff native-language reviewers who bring empathy, cultural fluency, and deep accessibility knowledge to every project. This unique blend of advanced automation and human insight ensures your localization for websites isn’t simply translated, it’s thoughtfully localized and transformed into an inclusive, engaging digital experience. We don’t just convert words; we create seamless, culturally relevant, and accessible journeys that truly connect with every visitor, no matter their language or ability. In one case study, a government agency needed to make key online information accessible for Spanish-speaking users. By partnering with one of the best website localization companies, they didn’t just meet compliance, they improved engagement, trust, and overall satisfaction. Another project involved a healthcare provider reaching multilingual communities. Through culturally responsive localization, their digital outreach expanded dramatically, improving health literacy in underserved populations. Beyond anecdotal success, the numbers speak for themselves:

> 72.1% of consumers spend more time on websites in their native language
> 65% are more likely to take action, like filling out a form, when content is localized
> Accessibility also supports compliance with regulations like ADA and Section 508 Localization doesn’t just help users. It helps your brand grow with purpose. The best website localization services do more than translate, they build equity and trust by adapting content thoughtfully for diverse audiences. Common pitfalls include English-only selectors, hidden language options, ignoring cultural differences, and failing to localize metadata or member-only areas. Avoid these to maintain engagement and consistency. Unfortunately, many localization efforts fall short, from relying on tools like Google Translate to overlooking cultural nuances or key design elements.  Done right, accessible website localization bridges the gap between language and equity. Done wrong, it can damage trust and drive people away. Key mistakes to avoid include using English-only language selectors, hiding language options, neglecting cultural differences in photos and formatting, and forgetting to localize metadata and member-only sections, all of which can disrupt user experience and reduce engagement. Regularly reviewing and updating your localized content ensures consistency and better connection with diverse audiences. For more on what to avoid, explore our full breakdown of 14 common website localization mistakes. Choosing the best website localization services means finding a partner who understands your CMS, workflows, accessibility needs, and cultural nuances. Ask about their ability to work with your content platforms, handle updates, use native-language reviewers, and incorporate WCAG standards across all languages. Some questions to ask your partner before kicking off the project include: The best website localization services help you make a strong, accessible first impression. By prioritizing accessibility and inclusivity, you extend your global reach while fostering trust and connection. Ready to improve your strategy? Start with an audit and contact Avantpage for a free quote to build a truly inclusive digital experience. Want to see how your current strategy stacks up? Start with a simple audit.Then, when you’re ready, get a free quote from Avantpage and let’s build a digital experience that’s multilingual, accessible, and truly inclusive—from the first click to the final conversion.

California is one of the most linguistically diverse states in the country. As a major destination for immigrants to the United States, California is home to speakers of more than 200 different languages, many of whom have limited English proficiency (LEP). In fact, the state accounts for about a quarter of the nation’s LEP population, with seven million people reporting that they speak English “less than very well.” For healthcare providers in California, that means that interpreter services are absolutely critical. In particular, healthcare providers who work with patients on Medi-Cal, California’s implementation of the federal Medicaid program, must be prepared to provide thorough and extensive Medi-Cal interpreter services to their patients with LEP. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the nuances of Medi-Cal interpreter services in California. We’ll explain what Medi-Cal is, how Medi-Cal interpreter services can improve health outcomes for your patients with LEP, and how to integrate interpreting services into your workflow. Table of Contents - The Landscape of California's Linguistic Diversity - What Is Medi-Cal? - Legal Requirements for Medi-Cal Interpreter Services - The Benefits of Professional Interpreting - Common Challenges Without and Interpreter - How to Implement Interpreter Services in Your Healthcare Practice - Options for Providing Medi-Cal Interpreter Services - Summary Whether you’re in a cosmopolitan megalopolis like Los Angeles or the rural farmlands of the Central Valley, you’re likely to hear of a wide range of different languages spoken throughout the state. That’s because about 40% of Californians speak a language other than English at home.  The most widely spoken language in the state after English is—as in the rest of the country—Spanish, but there are more than 200 other languages and dialects spoken throughout California, making it one of the most linguistically diverse places in the country. To name just a few, other languages spoken widely throughout the state include: Many speakers of these languages are fluent in both English and their primary language. But not all of them are—as previously mentioned, about seven million people are classified as LEP. That’s around 17% of the state’s population. And although the state as a whole only makes up about 11% of the country’s population, its LEP residents make up a fairly significant portion of the country's entire LEP population: 19%. Additionally, individuals who speak a language other than English at home are particularly over-represented among Californians who depend on the state’s Medicaid program, Medi-Cal. More than 44% of the Medi-Cal beneficiaries speak a language other than English at home. This dynamic means Medi-Cal interpreter services are an absolute must-have for any healthcare provider working with Medi-Cal beneficiaries. Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program. Supported by both federal and state taxes, Medi-Cal covers healthcare services for individuals with limited income and resources, allowing them to access high-quality healthcare at low or no cost. Many Medi-Cal beneficiaries are able to receive healthcare without paying a premium, co-pay, or out-of-pocket costs. Since so many Medi-Cal beneficiaries speak a language other than English at home, it’s important for providers to be prepared to offer interpreting services to their patients. The presence of a medical interpreter can make or break a patient’s health outcome, as clear, seamless communication is key to making sure doctors are well-informed of their patients’ symptoms and that patients are able to advocate for themselves and understand their doctors’ instructions. By lowering the risk of miscommunication, research shows that medical interpreting services can help lower the risk of readmission for patients with LEP by 25%. And while many Medi-Cal beneficiaries do speak English, patients who speak another language at home may still prefer to receive healthcare in their primary language. By offering Medi-Cal interpreter services, you can build trust with your patients and ensure that they are comfortable receiving your care. Both federal and state laws require healthcare providers to offer language access services to patients with LEP. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act mandate that providers receiving federal funding—like those serving Medi-Cal patients—must ensure meaningful access to care through qualified interpreters and translated materials, on the grounds that not doing so would qualify as discrimination against a patient on the basis of their national origin. In California, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) expands on these rules. Medi-Cal managed care plans must provide free interpretation, offer timely access to interpreters, translate essential documents like NOA/NAR letters, and more.  Providers who fail to comply with these requirements risk legal penalties, funding loss, and lower patient satisfaction scores. Interpretation services aren’t optional—they’re essential and enforceable. Working with professional interpreters who specialize in medical interpreting will allow your doctors and other caretakers to worry less about communication struggles and focus on what actually matters: taking care of patients. Medi-Cal interpreter services ensure that care teams are able to seamlessly communicate with their patients in whatever language works for them. That means healthcare organizations and patients alike will experience the following benefits of interpreting services: Research shows that patients with LEP are more likely than their English-speaking counterparts to experience a severe medical error. Without an interpreter to help you communicate with your LEP patients, you run the risk of encountering the following obstacles, which could have serious consequences for you and your patients: It should be clear by now that Medi-Cal interpreter services are absolutely critical for any healthcare provider who works with Medi-Cal beneficiaries. Still, you may not be sure where to begin—let’s break it down step-by-step: When contracting Medi-Cal interpreter services, you’ll likely come across a lot of different forms of interpreting. Let’s break down some of the most common modalities for delivering interpreting services: When contracting Medi-Cal interpreter services, the reality is that you will likely need to use some sort of hybrid model—that is, a combination of all three modalities. Because of the complex nature of medical interpreting, your language service provider will work closely with you to identify when and how you’ll use each modality. It’s hard to overstate the importance of high-quality language access measures to providing effective, equitable healthcare to patients. A Medi-Cal interpreter enables healthcare providers to not only meet legal requirements, but also gives LEP patients the same level of care that their English-speaking counterparts receive. If you’re in need of Medi-Cal interpreter services, consider seeking out the services of a trusted language service provider who specializes in healthcare. Ready to improve communication and care for your Medi-Cal patients? Learn more about our professional interpreter services tailored for California healthcare agencies. Fill out this form to get a free quote or contact us at [email protected] or (530) 750-2040.

When you need remote interpreting services, there are two key modalities to consider: over-the-phone interpreting (OPI) and video remote interpreting (VRI). Both enable you to communicate seamlessly with individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) by connecting you to a wide network of interpreters. 

These services are critical for organizations like healthcare providers and government agencies, ensuring they comply with language access requirements like Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act.

You may find yourself asking whether OPI or VRI interpretation is better for you. In this blog, we’ll look at both options in-depth to help you decide which interpretation service meets your needs most effectively. Table of Contents What are OPI and VRI Interpretation? Over-the-Phone Interpretation (OPI) Video Remote Interpretation (VRI) Differences Between OPI and VRI How to Choose Between OPI vs. VRI Interpretation When to Use OPI When to Use VRI Implementation Strategies for Organizations Frequently Asked Questions Summary: OPI vs. VRI Interpretation As the names imply, the key difference between OPI vs. VRI interpretation is how each one is delivered: OPI interpretation is done via phone call, while VRI is done via video call. Let’s take a closer look at how each one works and what kinds of scenarios they’re best suited for. With OPI interpretation, businesses can simply dial a hotline and get connected to an interpreter who works in the language pair needed. For example, an English-speaking doctor can request an interpreter who speaks Mandarin Chinese and English in order to communicate with a monolingual Mandarin-speaking patient. As with in-person service, the interpreter will listen to both parties and provide an interpretation of what each speaker says.

OPI is quick and efficient, as it doesn’t require any special equipment or know-how. It’s commonly used in on-demand settings where an organization doesn’t necessarily have prior knowledge that interpretation will be necessary — for example, in some medical visits or customer service hotlines. Due to the quick and convenient nature of OPI, 92% of hospitals reported that telephone-based interpreting solutions were the most accessible resource for language access services in a national survey conducted by the National Health Law Program.

However, OPI does have its limitations. Because the interpreter cannot see what’s going on, they aren’t able to take any visual cues into account. This means that it’s not possible to interpret signed languages via OPI. Additionally, complex conversations involving several different speakers may be difficult to interpret over the phone. On the other hand, video remote interpretation incorporates video into the interpretation process. Instead of calling an interpreter on the phone, the interpreter joins a video call with the parties involved. VRI interpreters can be accessed via computer, tablet, or smartphone.

Like OPI, VRI is also commonly offered on-demand, though services may also be pre-scheduled for appointments for medical, legal, or government services. Because interpreters have access to certain visual cues, they may be able to provide more precise services, as these visual cues may clear up some uncertainty around ambiguous or imprecise language. VRI is also a must-have for any organization in need of a remote interpreter for signed languages like ASL.

VRI does come with some drawbacks — unlike standard phone calls, video calls require a reliable high-speed internet connection and video-compatible devices. Additionally, users of these services may need to have higher digital literacy than is required for OPI services.
While OPI and VRI are both effective ways to access interpretation services remotely, they aren’t entirely interchangeable. In some instances, OPI will be your best option; in others, VRI is likely to be more efficient. The table below breaks down some of the key differences between OPI vs. VRI interpretation:
Choosing between OPI vs. VRI interpretation isn’t a one-size-fits-all decision. The right choice for your organization depends on the specific context in which interpretation services are needed, the technology you have available, and the type of communication you’re facilitating. Let’s break down key considerations to help guide your decision-making process: Here are a few use case scenarios for OPI:

Here are a few use case scenarios for VRI: If you work with a large population of individuals with LEP, it’s likely you’ll need to integrate both OPI and VRI into your workflow. Let’s step-by-step look at how you can implement OPI or VRI interpretation services: Pretty much any organization that works with LEP populations will require OPI or VRI interpretation services. These include, but are not limited to:

- Hospitals and other healthcare providers
- Insurance companies
- Government agencies and departments
- Legal offices
- Election offices OPI interpreting services are delivered via phone call, while VRI interpreting services are delivered via video call. The skills involved in both practices are fairly similar, though VRI interpreters may incorporate visual cues into their services. Additionally, signed languages can be interpreted via VRI or in-person interpretation. Costs vary by provider, language pair, and usage volume. OPI is typically charged per minute and tends to be more cost-effective for shorter interactions. VRI tends to have a slightly higher rate per minute than OPI, due to the video component but provides higher accuracy in complex conversations.  To use VRI effectively, organizations need a reliable internet connection, a video-capable device (such as a tablet, smartphone, or computer), and secure video conferencing software. Organizations should also ensure compliance with data privacy regulations like HIPAA when using VRI in healthcare settings. Yes, many organizations implement a hybrid approach, using OPI for routine calls and VRI for interactions requiring visual cues. This flexibility ensures efficient and effective communication while keeping costs manageable.  While the difference between OPI vs. VRI interpretation may be obvious, it’s not always clear which one is better for different scenarios. In general, OPI is used for quick calls that don’t require the interpreter to take visual cues into consideration, while VRI is better for signed languages and more complex conversations. If you’re unsure which one is best for your organization, consulting with a trusted language service provider is a good idea. At Avantpage, we offer both OPI and VRI interpreting services in more than 150 different languages — contact us today at (530) 750-2040 or [email protected] to learn more.

For so many of us—whether we’re caring for a child, a foster or adopted loved one, an aging grandparent, a live-in relative, a friend, or a trusted caregiver—getting medical care is rarely a solo experience. It often involves the people around us, and that means communication is a shared responsibility. Patients need to understand their care, of course—but when others are involved, they should be part of the conversation too. No matter what your family looks like, clear communication in healthcare is essential. And for families who speak a language other than English, that often means having access to translation services for families—not just during doctor’s appointments, but throughout the care journey. Imagine a parent bringing their child to a clinic, hospital, or emergency room. They deserve to feel confident they’ll understand the diagnosis, treatment plan, and next steps—and that they’ll be understood in return. But when English isn’t the family’s primary language, that experience can quickly become overwhelming. Miscommunication can lead to missed diagnoses, medication errors, and serious health risks. That’s where translation services for families make all the difference. These services ensure that everyone involved in a patient’s care can understand, ask questions, follow instructions, and make informed decisions. They don’t just support better communication—they build trust, safety, and inclusion. For millions of families across the U.S., this isn’t optional. It’s essential. Table of Contents

- Families Deserve More than Just Words
- What the Law Requires-and Why It Matters
- The Real-World Impact on Families
- Moving Forward: How Providers Can Improve Language Access
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Healthier Families, Stronger Communities Language barriers can make even the most routine medical visits stressful. Parents may struggle to understand what a provider is saying about their child’s condition. Grandparents might not follow after-care instructions after surgery. A caregiver could misinterpret medication dosages or fail to follow discharge instructions correctly.  Without access to translation, families may struggle to make informed decisions. The result is often worse health outcomes and higher costs for both families and providers. But when families can clearly communicate with their care teams, they're more likely to pursue preventive care, follow treatment plans, communicate openly with providers, and make the confident, informed decisions about their health that ultimately improve health outcomes.  You can learn more about how these services work by visiting our page on translation services and healthcare translation solutions.  It’s not just good practice to offer language support—it’s the law. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, healthcare organizations that receive federal funding are required to provide meaningful access to individuals who are limited English proficient (LEP).  This includes offering professional translation and interpretation services free of charge. According to HHS Office for Civil Rights, organizations must take reasonable steps to ensure LEP individuals can understand and access the services they need.  Failing to meet these standards can result in legal consequences—and more importantly, puts families at risk of not receiving effective care. For families, the absence of reliable language services creates a domino effect. A single misunderstanding can lead to a missed follow-up, which turns into a preventable emergency room visit. A caregiver who doesn’t understand a discharge plan may unknowingly worsen a loved one’s recovery.  In contrast, translation services for families build trust. They ensure parents can confidently consent to treatment. They help patients adhere to care plans. They give families the voice and agency they need to be active participants in their health—not just passive recipients.  Language access is also about dignity. Every family deserves to understand their own medical journey, regardless of the language they speak. Healthcare providers don’t have to overhaul everything overnight, but there are clear starting points. Working with a professional translation partner can help organizations assess where gaps exist and how to effectively close them. That could mean translating intake forms, providing access to on-demand interpreters during telehealth visits, or making sure discharge instructions are available in a patient’s preferred language.  Digital technologies are playing an increasingly vital role in improving access to healthcare for diverse families. Remote interpreting technology platforms, AI-driven translation tools like machine translation post-editing (MTPE), multilingual client portals, and telemedicine services are all helping bridge the gap—especially for families in rural or underserved areas. These tools aren’t meant to replace human connection, but they serve as valuable extensions, ensuring more inclusive communication and care. At Avantpage, we offer global language services tailored specifically for healthcare providers, enabling them to reach families in meaningful, accurate, and culturally appropriate ways. Our solutions include access to usage data and language data, helping providers understand and track the needs of their patients, making it easier to deliver care that truly resonates. You may also like... Language and Trust: How Communication Shapes Health Outcomes Why a Spanish Medical Interpreter is Essential for Equitable Healthcare Access How to Make Telehealth Services More Accessible for All Patients Any individual with limited English proficiency (LEP) is eligible for translation or interpretation services when receiving care from healthcare organizations that receive federal funding. This includes families whose primary language is not English. These services are required under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, which protect patients from discrimination based on language barriers.  No. Translation services for families in healthcare must be provided free of charge to patients with LEP when the organization receives federal funding. This includes in-person interpretation, phone or video interpretation, and translated written materials such as forms, prescriptions, and discharge instructions. According to the HHS Office for Civil Rights, these services must be readily available to ensure meaningful access.  Families should inform the front desk, admissions team, or care providers that they need language support. Hospitals are expected to have protocols in place to provide interpreters on-site, over the phone, or via video. In many cases, translated materials—such as consent forms or discharge instructions—should also be available. If families are unsure, they can ask for “language assistance” or “interpreter services” at any time during their visit.  Translation refers to converting written content (like forms or discharge instructions) from one language to another. Interpretation, on the other hand, is verbal or signed conversation and used during interactions—like doctor visits or telehealth appointments. Both services are critical components of effective language access for families.  While accurate translation is critical, cultural competency helps ensure that healthcare communication is not only understood but also respectful and relevant. Providers can work with professional language service providers who offer culturally informed translations. Training staff on cross-cultural communication and hiring multilingual personnel also strengthens this effort. Together, cultural competency and translation services for families build trust, improve patient satisfaction, and lead to better health outcomes.  Only if they’re trained and qualified as medical interpreters. Healthcare facilities must ensure interpreters meet competency standards in medical terminology, ethics, and confidentiality. While many bilingual staff want to help, relying on untrained personnel can lead to serious miscommunications and liability risks.  Onsite interpreters are best suited for complex, sensitive, or lengthy medical conversations. When in-person support isn’t selected, video remote interpreting (VRI) or over-the-phone interpreting (OPI) can effectively support simple interactions. Ideally, all three options should be accessible, allowing patients with limited English proficiency to choose their preferred method. Providers should consider the patient’s needs, the context of care, and the complexity of the visit when selecting the appropriate modality.  When healthcare is truly accessible—linguistically, culturally, emotionally—families thrive. Children receive timely, appropriate care. Parents feel supported in making medical decisions. Patients can manage chronic conditions with clarity and confidence.  The long-term benefits are powerful: improved health outcomes, lower costs, reduced disparities, and stronger trust between communities and care providers. Simply put, translation services for families aren’t a bonus—they’re the foundation of equitable care. If your organization is ready to make language access a priority, get a free quote and start building a better experience for every family you serve. Contact us to learn how we can be a trusted partner in your language access efforts.

When seeking out language services, one of the first things people ask is “What is the difference between an interpreter vs. a translator?” After all, interpreting and translation services are both used to convert words and sentences in one language into another. 

While it can be easy to mix the two terms up, the interpreter vs. translator distinction is quite simple: Interpreters work with spoken or signed language, while translators work with written language. They both play a key role in ensuring organizations like healthcare providers and government agencies can communicate clearly with people from different linguistic backgrounds.

In this article, we’ll look at the key differences between an interpreter vs. translator, focusing on the skills required of both roles. We’ll also answer some commonly asked questions about interpreters and translators, while also shedding light on why many organizations need to work with both in order to provide truly equitable and accessible services.  Table of Contents

- Interpreter vs. Translator: Defining the Roles
- What Is an Interpreter?
- What Is a Translator?
- Interpreters vs. Translators: Differences
- Interpreters vs. Translators: Similarities
- Why Translators and Interpreters Are Both Necessary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Summary As we’ve discussed, interpreters work with spoken or signed language while translators work with written language. In short: Interpreters talk, translators type. Let’s take a closer look at the day-to-day work of an interpreter vs. translator. A professional interpreter works in real time, converting speech from one language to another language. This enables two parties who don’t speak the same language to have a free and spontaneous conversation with one another.

There are many different kinds of interpreting services:
Likewise, there are multiple different ways interpreting services can be delivered. While interpreters may deliver their services in person, it’s also common for them to do so on the phone (this is known as over-the-phone interpreting) or via video call (this is known as video remote interpreting).

Here are a few examples of instances where you might use the services of an interpreter: A professional translator, on the other hand, receives documents—such as brochures, webpages, forms, etc.—in one language and translates them into another language. 

There are many different kinds of translation services, each specialized for different kinds of texts. For example, legal translators are particularly knowledgeable about technical legal terminology that rarely comes up outside of legal contexts. Literary translators, on the other hand, take a more creative approach in translating works of literature, such as novels and plays.

One term you’ll often come across when seeking document translation services is “machine translation post-editing.” This is a service in which translation software is used to produce a translation of a text that is then reviewed and edited by a human who is familiar with the source and target languages, confirming that the text is accurately translated. This method saves quite a bit of time, though human translators tend to yield the highest quality, as they’re able to understand idiomatic phrases and cultural nuance better than translation software can.

Here are a few examples where you might use translation services: As we’ve discussed, there’s a clear distinction between an interpreter vs. translator. While their jobs may seem fairly similar, each role requires a unique set of skills. Besides their focus on written vs. spoken or signed language, there are several key differences that you should know about when deciding whether you need to contract the services of an interpreter vs. translator: 1. Mode of Communication: 2. Settings and Usage:
3. Speed and Timing:
4. Interpersonal Interaction:
5. Accuracy and Nuance:
6. Certification and Specialization:
7. Technology:
8. Cultural Sensitivity: Despite all of these differences, interpreters and translators do have their fair share of similarities: If you’re reading up on the difference between an interpreter vs. translator, odds are, you’re wondering which of the two is right for your organization. But if you work with a large number of LEP individuals, it’s likely you’ll need the services of both at some point. That’s because they complement one another, allowing organizations to fully offer their services in multiple different languages. 

The United States is an increasingly multilingual society: As of 2020, 22% of the population spoke a language other than English at home. That percentage has been steadily rising over the last few decades. Among this population, people speak English at varying levels. While many speak English, there’s a significant group of people who speak English at a very basic level, with about 25 million people—that’s 8% of the population—considered to have LEP.

If you provide your services to people with LEP, it’s not a question of interpreter vs. translator, but rather, when to use which. By working with both interpreters and translators, you ensure that LEP individuals have equitable access to the critical services provided by healthcare organizations, government agencies, and more.  While some translators also provide interpreting services, not all translators are equipped to provide interpreting services. Interpreters convert spoken or signed language from one language to another in real time. Translators, on the other hand, convert written texts from one language to another. It depends. If you need somebody to enable real-time conversations between two parties that do not speak the same language (for example, a patient with LEP and a doctor), you need an interpreter. If you have a document in one language and need it converted to another language, you need a translator. Hospitals typically work with both interpreters and translators. Interpreters allow patients with LEP to communicate with their care team and hospital administrative staff, while translators ensure that documents such as discharge forms, doctor’s notes, etc. are accessible to patients with LEP. Courts also work with both interpreters and translators. Courts typically work with interpreters during hearings to ensure that individuals with LEP can fully understand and participate in the hearing. Courts are required by law to provide an interpreter to LEP individuals at no cost. Additionally, courts may use translation services to make sure that relevant paperwork and documents are available to LEP individuals. The difference between an interpreter vs. translator is fairly straightforward. While interpreters work in real-time, converting speech from one language to another, translators work with the written word. But despite the clear differences between a translator vs. interpreter, they play complementary roles that enable organizations to cater their services to as many people as possible. By working with both interpreters and translators, you enable LEP individuals to access your services just as easily as a native English speaker could. If you’re looking for interpreting or translation services (or both), Avantpage can help. Fill out this form to get a free quote or contact us at [email protected] or (530) 750-2040 to learn more.

Language access plays a key role in healthcare equity — research shows that individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) are more likely to go without necessary medical care and face higher readmission rates than patients who speak English.  By providing language access measures that reduce the risk of miscommunication between LEP patients and their care team, healthcare providers can ensure equitable healthcare access for patients who don’t speak English. One simple way to do this is to work with a Spanish medical interpreter to aid your Spanish-speaking patients. After English, Spanish is the most widely spoken language in the United States, with more than 40 million speakers nationwide. Among the population of individuals with LEP, about 63% are Spanish speakers — that means having a Spanish medical interpreter on your team is a critical first step toward improving healthcare equity and supporting LEP patients. Table of Contents

- The Impact of Language Barriers on Healthcare
- The Growing Need for Spanish Medical Interpreters
- The Role of a Spanish Medical Interpreter in Healthcare
- How Spanish Medical Interpreters Improve Patient Outcomes
- Legal and Ethical Considerations
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion Patients need to be able to communicate seamlessly with doctors, nurses, and other members of their care team — when LEP patients don’t have access to an interpreter, things can go terribly awry.

One often-cited example of the importance of qualified medical interpreters is the Willie Ramirez case. In 1980, Willie Ramirez, an 18-year-old Spanish speaker went to the hospital for pain in his head. Friends and family stepped in to provide impromptu interpretation for Willie and his doctors, but doctors were unable to diagnose him properly due to miscommunication. In the end, Willie lost his arms and legs as a result of the delay in diagnosis and care — had a qualified medical interpreter been present, it’s likely that a diagnosis could have been made much faster.

Willie’s case might seem extreme, but the truth is that LEP patients face a wide range of barriers to healthcare that exert an emotional toll on them as well. Struggling to understand one’s care team can be a frustrating experience at best and a dangerous one at worst. Spanish is by far the most widely spoken language in the United States after English — with around 42 million speakers, Spanish is spoken by about 12 times as many people as the third most widely spoken language, Chinese. Almost 40% of those Spanish speakers are considered to have LEP, meaning that they speak little to no English.

And that population is growing: in the last 25 years, the Spanish-speaking population in the United States has risen drastically, from just under 30 million in 2000. According to Forbes, one in three people living in the United States is projected to speak Spanish by 2050.

With more and more Spanish speakers living in the United States, Spanish medical interpreters will play an even more important role in reducing gaps in healthcare equity and improving healthcare outcomes for Spanish speakers with LEP. Spanish medical interpreters enable seamless communication between patients and their caretakers, by translating speech in real-time between Spanish and English. As a patient explains their circumstances in Spanish, they relay that information to the care team in English; then, as the doctor or nurse speaks in English, the interpreter relays that information to the patient in Spanish.

Interpreter services for healthcare come in a few different forms:

No matter what kind of interpreter service you choose, an interpreter will help your patients express themselves freely in their native language. Whether you’re providing care to somebody in the emergency room or offering mental health services, a Spanish language interpreter will allow you to rest assured that your Spanish-speaking patients with LEP understand what you’re saying to them. Interpreter services for healthcare ensure that LEP patients have access to the same crucial information about their care that English-speaking patients do. In turn, this improves the patient’s sense of trust in their healthcare provider.

Studies show that language gaps and miscommunication lead to higher readmission rates among patients with LEP. By working with a qualified medical interpreter, your organization can build trust with LEP patients and reduce their likelihood of needing to be readmitted to the hospital. You may also like... Language and Trust: How Communication Shapes Health Outcomes 10 Common Misconceptions about Interpreting How to Provide Language Access for Indigenous Languages Besides enabling patients to receive adequate care, interpreter services for healthcare are also required under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act. These laws ensure that patients with LEP have a right to access interpreting services when seeking medical care from institutions that receive federal funding.

There are several other legal and ethical considerations to make. The interpreters themselves must comply with HIPAA regulations, ensuring patient confidentiality and privacy during all interpreted interactions. Additionally, a qualified medical interpreter must remain neutral and accurate, conveying information faithfully without adding their personal opinion or omitting any details. Here are some answers to common questions about Spanish medical interpreters. A Spanish medical interpreter is needed whenever a Spanish-speaking patient has trouble understanding or communicating in English during routine appointments, emergency care, mental health sessions, and follow-up appointments. A Spanish medical interpreter is a professional who is proficient in Spanish and another language (in this case, primarily English). Medical interpreters are trained on specialized medical terminology that allows them to act as a sort of linguistic intermediary between healthcare providers and patients with LEP, ensuring seamless and confidential communication in a healthcare setting. Healthcare facilities work with language service providers to offer a wide range of Spanish medical interpreter services, including over-the-phone interpreting, video remote interpreting, and on-site interpreting. They may also hire their own multilingual staff and interpreters. No. A medical interpreter works in real-time, enabling spoken communication between two parties that do not speak the same language. They often use consecutive interpreting methods, listening and translating speech in segments. Medical translators, on the other hand, translate written text from one language to another, such as member communications, member letters, evidence of coverage, brochures, medical marketing materials, and more. Although qualified medical interpreters may be trained in healthcare terminology, they may not necessarily be qualified to act as Spanish medical translators. The two roles require distinct skill sets. As such, it’s best to seek out a certified Spanish medical translator for any written documents you may need translated. Yes. Healthcare facilities that receive federal funding are required under Title VI of the Civil Rights act to provide language assistance, including a Spanish language interpreter, to patients with LEP. Although the actual conversation matter must remain confidential, the Association of American Medical Colleges advises healthcare providers to document the use of a qualified medical interpreter. The medical office should keep record of the following details:

- Date, time, and duration of the interpreter services
- Name or identification number of the interpreter
- The type of interpreter service used (over-the-phone, video remote, or onsite)
- Confirmation that the patient understood the medical information discussed
- Patient refusal of interpreter services (if applicable) Patients can request an interpreter at check-in, during appointments, or in emergencies. Most hospitals and healthcare providers have their own interpretation department to ensure the availability of interpretation services. This is not recommended. Some patients may rely on bilingual family members as informal or impromptu interpreters, but professional medical interpreters are a much safer option. Because professional interpreters are familiar with complex medical terminology, they’re better suited to help LEP patients than bilingual individuals who are untrained in interpreting or medical terminology. Spanish medical interpreters can save lives — by improving communication between Spanish-speaking patients and their doctors, interpreters empower patients to better understand and express their medical condition. By giving patients access to a qualified medical interpreter, healthcare facilities can do their part to improve equity in healthcare. Healthcare facilities looking to improve their language assistance services should invest in Spanish medical interpreters — get a free quote today, or contact us at [email protected] or (530) 750-2040 to learn more.

If you’re looking to improve your organization’s language access measures, you may want to consider leveraging an advisory board that specializes in language access and accessibility. Advisory boards can play a helpful role in evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of your organization’s language access measures (or lack thereof) and provide actionable insights into improving services for limited English proficient individuals.

Whether you work for a federal government agency or an election office in a small town, it’s quite likely that your work impacts individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP). An advisory board that specializes in matters of language access can help you identify ways in which your organization can better serve those individuals.
 
These groups can play an invaluable role in monitoring and improving your language access efforts, as they take a look at the bigger picture to point out weak spots that you may not notice when you’re focused on the day-to-day aspects of your work. They can also provide answers to any specific questions you might have and serve as a great way to crowdsource community members and find community leaders.
 
Advisory boards come in all shapes and sizes — essentially, they consist of a group of specialists and stakeholders who meet regularly to develop solutions to problems that a community might face. These can include language service professionals like translators and interpreters, but an effective advisory board will incorporate a broad range of perspectives: recruiting community leaders, individuals with LEP, and others who are impacted by your services will ensure that you have a wide range of viewpoints to develop an innovative solution.
 
There are plenty of advisory boards that focus on language matters already — for instance, the US Election Assistance Commission’s Language Access Roundtable convenes regularly to “discuss topics and resources available to election officials as they serve language minority voters.”
 
While it’s possible to join an already existing advisory board, you should also consider taking the time to set one up specifically for your organization or industry. This way, you can tailor the advisory board to your organization’s unique needs. In this blog post, we’ll show you how you can set up your own language access advisory board to set you up for success. How Language Access Strengthens Communities Case Study: Bridging the Digital Divide in Minority Communities Learn more about our Translation Services
Starting up your own advisory board can be a daunting task. If you’re not sure where to begin, we’ve broken the process down into four simple steps that will help you get started:
There are plenty of other advisory boards that focus on language-related issues already. Take some time to gather basic information on these advisory boards — look at their members and their experience, as well as their bylaws and meeting minutes if they’re publicly available. This will give you a better idea of what kinds of people to seek out when inviting different community members and stakeholders to join your advisory board.
 
This research should give you some inspiration for structuring your board and planning all the details out. A few examples of advisory boards you can look to in your research include the Language Access Collaborative in Raleigh, North Carolina, and the Language Access Services Section of the National Center for State Courts. By getting familiar with the work that other advisory boards do, you can get a better sense of what you want yours to do for your organization.

After conducting research into and getting inspiration from other advisory boards, it’s time to narrow in on your own board. Start by determining the overarching goal of your advisory board — some common goals you might want to focus on include: Once you’ve figured out the scope of your advisory board, you can pin down the different experts and stakeholders you’ll need to serve on your board.
 
If improving language access is the focal point of your advisory board, you’ll want to focus your efforts on consulting with interpreters, translators, other language service experts, and multilingual community members who understand the needs of LEP individuals; on the other hand, if you’re focused more on diversity and equity as a whole, you’ll want to work with DEI specialists and the community members who use your services.
 

Advisory boards are most effective when they include a diverse group of voices — people who have LEP and community leaders should also play a key role in your advisory board.[3]  Make sure to target a wide range of prospective board members. You’ll want to get perspectives from the people who use your services, front of staff, buyers and requesters of services, industry leaders, and language-specific experts, just to name a few. If you already have some stakeholders in mind, go ahead and invite them to join the board directly. But don’t stop there — cast a wide net by posting open calls to sign up on social media and ask others to share as well. In your outreach efforts, be sure to be clear about your goals in setting up the advisory board and what your expectations are. If you need some inspiration for your outreach efforts, take a look at this Linkedin post from the New York City Civic Engagement Commission, promoting their Language Assistance Advisory Committee.
 
Notice that the application in the Linkedin post above is very clear about the commitment level expected of council members. In your outreach efforts, be as clear as you possibly can — outline the frequency of meetings and, if possible, when and where the board’s meetings will take place. Working with an advisory board is an excellent way to improve your organization’s language access services. And while there are many out there already, you may find that setting up your own advisory board allows you to gain more useful, custom-tailored insights into your organization’s strengths and weaknesses. Here are some simple steps to get started: If you’re looking to improve your organization’s language access plan, Avantpage can help. We offer language access consulting services that help you expand your language services and adapt to evolving needs. Reach out to us today at [email protected] or (530) 750-2040 to learn more.

Reframed this as bullet points, rather than questions — I think it's a little bit clearer now, but let me know what you think
Does "members" work better than "specialists and stakeholders" here?
Added a new sentence here, per previous comments Contact us today for a brief call to explore how Avantpage can be your trusted language access partner, working together to find the best solution tailored to your needs.

It’s simple, but true: Patients need to be able to trust their healthcare providers. From routine doctor’s appointments to calling their insurance provider, it’s important that patients are confident in their provider’s ability to give them the highest quality of care possible.   After all, the healthcare system can be daunting — fostering a sense of trust allows patients to open up and feel secure in doing so. And when patients feel open and secure, they’re able to advocate for themselves better, improving the outcome of their care.  Building trust with your patients can be a challenge, though, especially for health insurance providers. This is doubly true when it comes to building trust with patients who have limited English proficiency (LEP) and other minorities that have historically been marginalized within the healthcare system.   While programs like Medicare and Medicaid aim to improve healthcare outcomes for historically marginalized members of society, inequality in the healthcare system remains—research indicates that even today, racial and ethnic minorities tend to receive lower quality care than their white counterparts. As a result, it can be challenging for members of these groups to fully trust their providers. For individuals with LEP, language gaps can make it even more difficult to build trust.   Measurements of equity in the healthcare system like the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Health Equity Index incentivize providers to emphasize equity in their practice—higher scores on these measures can help your patients trust you.   In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the ways in which health insurance plans can improve their communication with LEP patients and feel more trusting—because at the end of the day, that trust leads to a better patient-provider relationship, ultimately boosting the quality of care and saving lives.  Effective CMS Marketing for Multilingual Healthcare Materials Translating Member Letters for State-Managed Health Plans Listening is the foundation of trust — especially for LEP patients navigating the complexities of our healthcare system. By actively listening to LEP patients, health plan providers can gain insight into the unique challenges they face.  
 
Listening isn’t just about gathering feedback from plan members — it’s about actually doing something with that feedback. To build a sense of trust in your patients, it’s critical that you take their input and co-create relevant solutions with community leaders, advisory groups, and other experts. This approach fosters a sense of inclusion and empowers LEP members to voice their concerns openly — here’s how you can take an active approach to listening to your LEP patients. 
Surveys, focus groups, and one-on-one interviews can give you valuable information about the experiences and needs of your LEP plan members.  
 
Working with a trusted language service provider, you can develop multilingual surveys that LEP plan members can complete. Likewise, you can partner with community-based organizations (CBOs) and other cultural experts to help coordinate focus groups and interviews in languages spoken prominently among the LEP communities you’re targeting. 
 
These are just a few examples of ways to get feedback from your LEP patients — by leveraging them, health plans can identify gaps in service, improve communications, and create a more seamless and comprehensive experience that fosters long-term trust and satisfaction. 
Feedback is a crucial tool for refining your services — by acting on the feedback you receive from LEP patients in surveys and focus groups, you can show patients you’re actually listening to them, thereby building a strong sense of trust. 
 
The feedback you receive from LEP members will likely uncover gaps in communication, accessibility, and overall service delivery. By creating consistent feedback loops — i.e., regularly conducting surveys and focus groups — you can address these issues proactively. This process not only improves the user experience but also demonstrates a commitment to listening and adapting.  
 
When you consider member feedback, you may find instances where you can make tangible improvements to the patient’s experience: you might find that you can simplify forms, develop better outreach strategies in certain languages, or improve interpreter access. These changes will all add up to build a sense of trust toward your organization.  
Be sure to be transparent and open when conducting these outreach efforts. Make sure to inform members of why you’re reaching out to them and how you plan to use their feedback. This transparency is essential to building trust with LEP plan members, while also building goodwill and trust. 
 
In some instances, it may be worthwhile to share the results of surveys and focus groups with plan members — this gives them a better idea of how you plan to act on their feedback. As you adjust your practices and act on feedback, patients can rest assured that you’re making changes that are rooted in their own ideas and insights. This incentivizes further participation and creates a foundation of trust that leads to stronger, more equitable healthcare relationships.  When LEP patients trust their health insurance provider, they navigate the healthcare system with a sense of agency and security that allows them to be the best possible advocate for themselves. As a health plan provider, building trust means listening to your patients and being adaptable to their input. Here’s how you can do that:  Foster and maintain confident relationships with your LEP patients and health plan members through translation, interpreting, and other language services. Contact us today at (530) 750-2040 or at [email protected] to learn more about how we can help you. 

For millions of immigrants and refugees living in the United States, navigating essential federal programs poses quite a challenge. Individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) often struggle to access critical services like Medicare — even though these agencies are required by law to offer language access services, individuals with LEP often have trouble accessing them as easily as their English-speaking counterparts. This difficulty arises in part due to the fact that the federal government’s guidelines for supporting individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) are rather outdated — most federal agencies today utilize guidelines based on the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) LEP Guidance published in 2002. A lot has changed in the last two decades — so our approach to language access at the federal level should adapt to reflect those changes. In fact, there are a couple of key challenges with the current federal approach to language access. Firstly, federal agencies today usually follow a single set of LEP guidelines for all programs, rather than tailored language access plans for each. While this one-size-fits-all approach might have worked in 2002, it falls short as programs have diversified and gone digital. Additionally, there is little transparency about the effectiveness of these language access plans. Although agencies are required to have them, few processes exist to evaluate their efficacy or enforcement. If you work with a federal agency and are looking for ways to develop a unique and creative language access plan, this blog post will give you some insight into how you can address these challenges, particularly in the research and early phases of development. We’ll start with a look at the stakeholders who will be most impacted by changes to your LEP guidance and then explore the other areas you need to consider, from data collection to IT support. Common Components of a Language Access Plan
While language access measures are put in place to help individuals with LEP, those end users aren’t the only people who will be impacted by changes to your agency’s language access guidelines. It’s also important to consider how this will impact your frontline staff, who are often the first point of contact for LEP individuals. You’ll want to consider the ways your staff typically interact with LEP users — do they talk to them on the phone or is communication mostly through mail or online, text-based channels? Answering questions like this will help you identify weakness in your current processes and customize your plan to a specific program. Ensuring that these staff members are equipped with the necessary training and resources to effectively communicate with LEP individuals is critical for the success of any language access plan. Depending on how they interact with users, you may want to hire additional bilingual staff who can perform these tasks in a language commonly spoken among LEP individuals who seek your services.
Odds are, you’ll need a lot of support from outside sources — vendors like language service providers, as well as DEI consultants, research organizations, community representatives and community-based organizations (CBOs) should play a prominent role in the development and implementation of any language access plan. You can work with language service providers to identify the kinds of language services you need, whether it’s over-the-phone interpreting, document translation, website localization, or something else. Meanwhile, consultants and other organizations can share valuable insights into the specific needs of LEP users. For example, a CBO that works with specific immigrant populations can help you organize focus group sessions with LEP residents who seek access to your programs; DEI consultants can provide you with information about the best practices for making sure your language access plan is equitable and inclusive.
A solid language access plan starts with comprehensive data. Use existing sources like U.S. Census data and the American Community Survey (ACS) to identify LEP demographics and common languages spoken among the immigrants who are most likely to need your services. You should also supplement this with internal data on service usage, user feedback, and past interactions to uncover current language access gaps. Combining this data with the insights provided by vendors and other third parties like CBOs can provide first-hand insights from LEP individuals and staff who interact with them. Collecting both quantitative and qualitative data ensures your language access plan is targeted, effective, and responsive to the actual needs of the community.
The way we connect with one another has changed quite a bit since 2002 — social media and the internet have become critical outreach channels and as such, effective language access requires using them to reach individuals with LEP. Be sure to integrate a mix of digital and traditional methods such as online platforms, printed materials, phone services, and in-person interactions. Websites and apps should be optimized for multilingual access, with clear navigation in users’ preferred languages. Be careful not to put all your eggs in one basket though. Digitization is important, but it’s also important to use print media and other channels, as individuals with LEP (especially elderly folks) may face digital inclusion barriers that English speakers don’t. Don’t overlook community hubs like churches and local nonprofits that LEP individuals trust. Partnering with these groups can help amplify outreach and build awareness of available services. By diversifying communication channels, you enhance the likelihood that LEP users can access critical information and support seamlessly.
In the early phases of planning and developing LEP guidance, you’ll also want to consider the ongoing support you’ll need after the plan’s been implemented. Maybe you’ll need additional support from your IT specialists after localizing your website to make sure that everything functions properly (i.e., you don’t want a link on the Spanish version of your website to direct users to an English webpage or PDF). Additionally, you’ll also want to work with CBOs and community members to receive regular feedback on your language access measures to make sure that you’re able to adapt to the needs of your programs’ LEP users.
Modernizing your language access plans can be a major task — as the DOJ’s federal guidance on language access hasn’t changed much in two decades, there’s a lot to consider after two decades of change in other dimensions. Here are some key questions federal agencies should ask themselves if they plan on developing a language access plan for the modern era: If you’re looking to revamp your agency’s LEP guidance and implement a more modern approach to language access, Avantpage has you covered. We offer translation and interpreting services that are crucial to any language access plan — not to mention, we also offer in-depth language access consulting services to help you lay out a roadmap for your organization. Contact us today at [email protected] or (530) 750-2040 to learn more.