Guide
What language access asks of a government website
A plain guide for clerks, coordinators and communications staff. It is general information, not legal advice.
Rules differ by funding source and by state, and federal guidance changed in 2025. Check what applies to you with your lawyer or civil rights office.
People who do not speak English well still need to apply for benefits, read a meeting agenda, pay a bill and report a problem. Language access means giving them real access to your programs and information in a language they can use. Your website is now the front door for most of those tasks.
Where the obligation comes from
- Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 bans discrimination based on national origin in programs that get federal money. Agencies have long read that to include not serving people with limited English proficiency. It is still in force. How far it reaches today is a question for your lawyer.
- Executive Order 13166 (2000) was revoked in March 2025, and federal guidance built on it has been pulled back or is under review. Do not rely on older guidance.
- State and local laws often require translated vital documents or interpreters, whatever happens at the federal level.
- The ADA and Section 508 cover access for people with disabilities. A translated page that a screen reader cannot read does not help a blind resident who speaks Vietnamese.
What a website usually needs
- A language button that is easy to find on every page, including on a phone.
- The pages and forms people use to get services translated, not only the home page.
- Documents people need, such as agendas and applications, in a form they can use.
- A short, honest note that the translation is automatic, and a way to reach a person.
Automatic translation will not be perfect. Meaning can be lost, and a professional translator is the right choice for vital documents. A sensible plan uses both. idioma.chat does not certify translations, give legal advice, or decide whether you comply. That is your call.