Beyond One Language: Ensuring Multilingual Access in Education & Healthcare
Where We Stand: Language Access Under New Policy Changes
A recent Executive Order declaring English as the sole recognized language of the United States has sent waves of concern through education and healthcare spaces—two sectors where multilingual access is not just beneficial, but essential. While this policy shift overturns Executive Order 13166, which reinforced language access requirements for federally funded services, the legal obligations to provide meaningful language access have not disappeared.
At DiversifiED Consulting, we remain steadfast in our mission: to create access points for all, regardless of language background. This post provides context on what’s changed, what protections remain in place, and what next steps organizations can take to ensure that multilingual individuals—especially students, patients, and their families—are not left behind.
Understanding the Legal Landscape
Despite this new Executive Order, federal protections still require language access in key areas that impact education and healthcare:
Education: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act
What It Says: Prohibits discrimination based on national origin, which includes language access for students and families.
Who It Protects: New-to-English learners (ELs), multilingual students, and families navigating school systems.
What It Requires: Schools receiving federal funding must provide meaningful access through interpreters, translated materials, and linguistically appropriate services.
What This Means Now: Schools must still comply with Title VI protections. The new Executive Order does not eliminate the responsibility of public schools to ensure equitable language access for students and families.
Healthcare: Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
What It Says: Healthcare providers cannot discriminate based on national origin, which extends to language access.
Who It Protects: Patients with limited English proficiency (LEP).
What It Requires: Federally funded healthcare providers must provide interpreters and translated materials to ensure safe and effective care.
What This Means Now: Hospitals, clinics, and other federally funded health services are still required to provide linguistic access to non-English-speaking patients. Removing Executive Order 13166 does not override Section 1557—patients still have legal grounds to request interpretation and translation services.
What Happens Next? Protecting Language Access Moving Forward
While this policy shift may create uncertainty, organizations and advocates can take proactive steps to continue ensuring multilingual access:
Schools & Educators: Upholding Language Equity
Reinforce Title VI compliance by maintaining translation and interpretation services.
Ensure staff training on multilingual engagement and legal obligations.
Advocate at the district level for continued investment in multilingual programming.
Healthcare Providers: Strengthening Language Access Services
Continue providing interpreters and translated medical documents in compliance with Section 1557.
Train medical staff on patient rights regarding language access.
Collaborate with community partners to improve outreach to multilingual populations.
Policy & Community Advocacy: Staying Engaged
Monitor local and federal language access policies for potential further changes.
Empower multilingual communities by ensuring they know their rights.
Encourage partnerships between schools, hospitals, and community organizations to collectively protect language access.
Final Thoughts: Our Commitment to Multilingual Access
At DiversifiED Consulting, we remain committed to ensuring language is never a barrier to education, healthcare, or essential services. Despite shifts in policy, the core legal protections remain intact—and it’s up to all of us to continue advocating for equity and access for multilingual communities.
How is your organization addressing multilingual access in this changing landscape? Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with us at @louise.elyaafouri.
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