Language access strengthens equity and inclusion within communities, empowering people to build trust through effective communication.
“No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” - Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (federal law) [1]
Language access efforts within the Dane County Department of Human Services (DCDHS) began during the department’s 2021–2026 Strategic Planning, which outlined five main priorities, with advancing racial justice as the top goal.
To promote racial justice in Dane County, the department aims to improve language access by updating civil rights compliance plans and establishing, maintaining, and enhancing interpreter services that meet Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) standards. The DCDHS Language Access and Civil Rights Workgroup was formed to evaluate language access effectiveness across all divisions and develop a comprehensive Language Access and Civil Rights Plan for the department.
Home Page | Department of Human Services Strategic Plan
https://strategic-plan.dcdhs.com/documents/pdf/VisionNext-final.pdf [2]
In 2023, DCDHS hired its first Language Access Coordinator, and a second coordinator was added in 2025. Both positions were essential for maintaining long-term compliance and dedication within DCDHS, supporting the workgroup’s efforts and enhancing language access services across DCDHS.
Language access offers free resources to remove communication barriers for multilingual individuals, as well as for those who are Deaf, deaf, or hard of hearing (D/d/HOH), and others with communication disabilities. These resources facilitate accurate, timely, and effective communication.
Local, state, and federal governments often use the term “Limited English Proficiency (LEP)” to describe people who are not fluent in speaking, reading, writing, or understanding English. [3]
However, this term can be seen as deficit-focused because it emphasizes what a person lacks instead of recognizing their multilingual abilities. Therefore, DCDHS will use alternative, person-centered phrases such as “multilingual individuals,” “a person who benefits from having an interpreter,” or “English learners.”
Effective Communication — For individuals with communication disabilities, effective communication involves providing appropriate auxiliary aids, services, and accessible formats so that communication is as effective for people with disabilities as it is for those without disabilities. [4] This includes individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, blind or have low vision, have speech disabilities, or rely on other communication supports. It also requires ensuring that digital content and mobile apps are accessible and support effective communication, in accordance with current web accessibility standards, including WCAG 2.1 Level AA under the ADA Title II rule for state and local governments. [5]
Deaf/deaf (D/d) — Uppercase 'Deaf' refers to a specific group of people who are deaf and share a language and culture; lowercase 'deaf' describes the audiological condition of not hearing. An individual who is deaf or hard of hearing (D/HOH) may also have limited proficiency in spoken or written English and may not be proficient in ASL or any other recognized sign language. [6]
Hard of hearing (HOH) — Someone experiencing hearing loss ranging from mild to profound.
Methods of Communication — Individuals with communication disabilities use a variety of methods and tools depending on their needs and preferences. Some may rely on sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, screen readers, communication boards, speech-generating devices, or written communication. Others might communicate by speaking, typing, gesturing, or using other assistive technologies. Since communication needs differ for each person, organizations should provide information in multiple accessible formats and ensure that digital communication remains accessible and usable.
WCAG 2.1 and Federal Accessibility Requirements — WCAG 2.1 is a set of standards aimed at making websites, mobile apps, and other digital content more accessible for people with disabilities. This includes individuals who are blind or have low vision, deaf or hard of hearing, or face mobility, speech, or cognitive challenges. Under the updated ADA Title II rule in 2024, state and local governments must ensure their digital services are accessible. Typically, this means complying with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards. These requirements help ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to government information, programs, and services online. [7]
According to data from the 2019 American Community Survey (ACS) conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 25,749 households in Dane County include individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP). Since this estimate relies solely on survey responses, the actual number might be higher. [8]
https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs.html
Among Dane County residents, the reported share of households speaking languages other than English includes:
Along with language access services, it is essential to address the communication needs of people with disabilities. This includes not only those who are deaf or hard of hearing but also individuals with vision impairments, speech disabilities, and other communication challenges. Accessibility standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) support effective digital communication by helping ensure that online content is accessible to a diverse range of disabilities.
According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the top 15 languages other than English spoken in Wisconsin are:
[1] Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000d.
[2] Dane County Department of Human Services, Vision: Next 2021–2026, 5, 13–14. (strategic-plan.dcdhs.com)
[3] See U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “Guidance to Federal Financial Assistance Recipients Regarding Title VI and the Prohibition Against National Origin Discrimination Affecting Limited English Proficient Persons,” defining individuals with limited English proficiency as those who do not speak English as their primary language and who have a limited ability to read, write, speak, or understand English. (hhs.gov)
[4] Americans with Disabilities Act, Title II, 28 C.F.R. §§ 35.104, 35.160, 35.200
[5] U.S. Department of Justice, “ADA Requirements: Effective Communication”
[6] National Association of the Deaf, “FAQ” (regarding Deaf/deaf and hard of hearing terminology). (ada.gov)
[7] U.S. Department of Justice, “Fact Sheet: New Rule on the Accessibility of Web Content and Mobile Apps Provided by State and Local Governments”
[8] U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2019 data for Dane County, Wisconsin, including Table S1602, “Limited English Speaking Households,” and Table C16001, “Language Spoken at Home for the Population 5 Years and Over”; U.S. Department of Justice, “ADA Requirements: Effective Communication,” ADA.gov; and U.S. Department of Justice, “Fact Sheet: New Rule on the Accessibility of Web Content and Mobile Apps Provided by State and Local Governments,” ADA.gov. (data.census.gov)
