Notice2024-08409
Development of a Universal Symbol for Language Assistance Services in Health Settings
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
April 19, 2024
Issuing agencies
Health and Human Services Department
Abstract
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH) seeks input from language access stakeholders, including organizations representing and/or serving communities with Limited English Proficiency (LEP), to inform the development of a universal symbol informing people about the availability of language assistance services in health settings. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals or proposal abstracts.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 77 (Friday, April 19, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 77 (Friday, April 19, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28789-28790]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-08409]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Development of a Universal Symbol for Language Assistance
Services in Health Settings
AGENCY: Office of Minority Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services.
ACTION: Request for information.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office
of Minority Health (OMH) seeks input from language access stakeholders,
including organizations representing and/or serving communities with
Limited English Proficiency (LEP), to inform the development of a
universal symbol informing people about the availability of language
assistance services in health settings. This is NOT a solicitation for
proposals or proposal abstracts.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted and received at the address
provided below, no later than 11:59 p.m. on May 20, 2024.
ADDRESSES: OMH invites the submission of the requested information
through one of the following methods:
<bullet> Preferred method: Submit information through the Federal
eRulemaking Portal at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the online
instructions for submissions.
<bullet> Email: Send comments to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8de0e4e3e2ffe4f9f4e5e8ece1f9e5cde5e5fea3eae2fb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="cea3a7a0a1bca7bab7a6abafa2baa68ea6a6bde0a9a1b8">[email protected]</span></a> with the
subject line ``OMH RFI: Universal Symbol for Language Assistance
Services in Health Settings.''
Submissions received after the deadline will not be reviewed.
Respond concisely and in plain language. You may use any structure or
layout that presents your information well. You may respond to some or
all of our questions, and you can suggest other factors or relevant
questions. You may also include links to online material or interactive
presentations. Clearly mark any proprietary information and place it in
its own section or file. Your response will become government property,
and we may publish some of its non-proprietary content.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leandra Olson, 1101 Wootton Parkway,
Suite 100, Rockville, MD 20852, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f1bd94909f958390dfbe9d829e9fb1999982df969e87"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f1bd94909f958390dfbe9d829e9fb1999982df969e87">[email protected]</span></a>, (301) 348-3577.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Please Note: This request is for information (RFI) and is for
planning purposes only. It is not a notice for a proposal and does not
commit the Federal Government to issue a
[[Page 28790]]
solicitation, make an award, or pay any costs associated with
responding to this announcement. All submitted information shall remain
with the Federal Government and will not be returned. All responses
will become part of the public record and will not be held
confidential. The Federal Government reserves the right to use
information provided by respondents for purposes deemed necessary and
legally appropriate. Respondents are advised that the Federal
Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the
information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to
any information submitted. Responses will not be accepted after the due
date.
I. Background Information
The Office of Minority Health (OMH)
Authorized under section 1707 of the Public Health Service Act, 42
U.S.C. 300u-6, as amended, the mission of OMH is to improve the health
of racial and ethnic minority and American Indian and Alaska Native
populations through the development of health policies and programs
that help eliminate health disparities. OMH awards and other activities
are intended to support the identification of effective policies,
programs and practices for improving health outcomes and to promote
sustainability and dissemination of these approaches.
Universal Symbol for Language Assistance Services
Under Fiscal Year 2023 Appropriations, Congress called upon OMH to
research, develop, and test methods of informing LEP individuals about
the availability of language assistance services. The Congressional
report noted that the goal of this research would preferably be to
develop a universal symbol informing people about the availability of
language access services.
II. Request for Information
Through this RFI, OMH seeks to obtain information from language
access stakeholders, including organizations representing and/or
serving communities with LEP, to guide the development and
implementation of a symbol informing people about the availability of
language assistance services in health settings, including for health
services, programs, and/or products.
III. Questions
<bullet> What methods do you or your organization currently use to
inform individuals with LEP about the availability of services in their
preferred language?
[cir] How effective are these methods?
<bullet> What are the challenges to implementing these methods? Do
you believe a new graphic symbol informing people about the
availability of language assistance services would increase the rate at
which people request language assistance services and thereby increase
access to information about health services, programs, and/or products?
<bullet> Are you aware of any previous or existing symbols used to
inform people about the availability of language assistance services
(e.g., used in the health sector or other sectors)?
[cir] If yes, please share any information you have regarding the
development and implementation of the symbol, including best practices,
challenges, and effectiveness or impact.
<bullet> What should be considered in the development of a new
graphic symbol informing people about the availability of language
assistance services in health settings? Please add any specific
suggestions you have for the symbol design and usability testing.
<bullet> What steps do you recommend for implementing,
disseminating, and ensuring effectiveness of a new symbol for language
assistance services, including utilization by LEP individuals,
healthcare providers, public health departments, and other entities
engaged in health care?
<bullet> Are there frameworks or standards that should be
considered to support the development, testing, implementation, and
dissemination of a new symbol for language assistance services?
IV. Definitions
For the purposes of this RFI, the following working definitions
apply:
Language Assistance Services--All oral, written, and signed
language services needed to assist individuals with LEP and people with
disabilities to communicate effectively. Examples of language
assistance services include oral interpretation services and written
translations of materials.
Limited English Proficiency (LEP)--An individual who does not speak
English as their preferred language and who has a limited ability to
read, write, speak or understand English in a manner that permits them
to communicate effectively and have meaningful access to and
participate in the services, activities, programs, or other benefits
administered in a health setting. Individuals with LEP may be competent
in English for certain types of communication (e.g., speaking or
understanding) but have limited proficiency in English in other areas
(e.g., reading or writing). LEP designations are also context-specific;
an individual may possess sufficient English language skills to
function in one setting (e.g., conversing in English with coworkers),
but these skills may be insufficient in other settings (e.g.,
addressing court proceedings). An individual who is deaf or hard of
hearing may also have limited proficiency in spoken or written English.
Dated: April 10, 2024.
Leandra Olson,
Policy Team Lead, Office of Minority Health.
[FR Doc. 2024-08409 Filed 4-18-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-29-P
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