Sections on this Page:

• Language access regulations
• Data collection
• Translation and In-person interpretation Vendors
• Telephone interpretation (LanguageLine Solutions)
• Tips for providing translation and interpretation
• Multilingual taglines for vital documents
• Interpreter services waiver form
• Signage
  • Language ID desktop poster (required document) 
  • “I Speak” Cards
• Outreach
• Complaints
• Additional questions and comments

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Language access regulations

• DC Municipal Regulations and D.C. Register, Chapter 4-12, Language Access Act
• Language access policy template for covered entities with major public contact (last updated 2023).
• DC Grantee Contractor Language Access Implementation Guide
• Creating a Multilingual Phone Tree/Automated Messaging System 

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Data collection

• Guide to Data Collection
• Office of Planning State Data Center
• StatisticalAtlas.com

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Translation and In-person interpretation Vendors

The government of D.C. has identified, vetted, and engaged three vendors in a citywide contract to provide document translation and in-person interpretation services for D.C. agencies:

• ACSI Translations,
• Multicultural Community Service (MCS), and
• TransPerfect Translation International, Inc.

Click here to view and download OHR's reference guide on these vendors (last updated February 10, 2026). 

Please note that interpretation refers to the process of converting spoken communication from one language to another, while translation refers to the process of converting written communication between languages. For the purposes of Language Access, one of these languages will always be English. You can find each vendor’s specific offerings and rates below. If you would like to request a service, your Language Access Coordinator or Language Access Point of Contact can provide you with information regarding your agency’s procurement process and existing purchase orders.

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Telephone interpretation (LanguageLine Solutions)

• Reference Guide: How to use LanguageLine Solutions for Telephonic Interpretation
• Reference Guide: How to Set Up an Account with LanguageLine Solutions
• LanguageLine Solutions guide to generating reports
• Access your LLS account

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Tips for providing translation and interpretation

• Comprehensive Language Center, Inc. guide to best practices for reviewing translations
• LanguageLine Solutions tips for working with a telephone interpreter
• Machine Translation Software in Agencies’ Websites and Mobile Apps (updated November 12, 2025)
• Reference Guide: Types of Interpretation
• Reference Guide: Tips for communicating with LEP/NEP individuals

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Multilingual taglines for vital documents

• Taglines version 1 - “Help in your language”
• Taglines version 2 - “Important notice”

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Interpreter services waiver form

• Interpretation services waiver form in Amharic
• Interpretation services waiver form in Chinese
• Interpretation services waiver form in French
• Interpretation services waiver form in Korean
• Interpretation services waiver form in Spanish
• Interpretation services waiver form in Vietnamese

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Signage

• Language ID Desktop Poster (required document) 
• Language ID Card

• “I Speak Card Amharic”
• “I Speak Card Arabic”
• “I Speak Card Chinese”
• “I Speak Card French”
• “I Speak Card Korean”
• “I Speak Card Portuguese”
• “I Speak Card Russian”
• “I Speak Card Spanish”
• “I Speak Card Tagalog”
• “I Speak Card Vietnamese”

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Outreach (This is not required for Covered Entities that are Non-Major Public Contact Agencies)

• Reference Guide: Suggested Outreach Partners
• Reference Guide: What is the D.C. Language Access Coalition?
• Reference Guide: What are the Consultative Agencies?
• Reference Guide: Outreach Event for Event Multilingual Taglines

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Complaints

Below you can find all the information regarding filing a Language Access complaint. Please note, while the Language Access Act encompasses both spoken and written language, it does not extend to visual languages such as American Sign Language (ASL) and all information regarding this can be found here.

• Standard Operating Procedures for Investigating Language Access Complaints
• Language Access Public Complaint Form  (All Updated March 2025)
  • English (Print) (Online)
  • Amharic / አማርኛ (Print / የታተመ) (Online version / የመስመር ላይ ስሪት)
  • Chinese / 中文 (Print / 打印版）（Online version / 在线版）
  • French / Français (Print / imprimé) (Online version / version en ligne)
  • Korean / 한국어 (Print /인쇄 버전) (Online version / 온라인 버전 )
  • Spanish / Español (Print / impreso) (Online version / versión en línea)
  • Vietnamese / Tiếng Việt (Print / bản in) (Online version / bản trực tuyến)

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Additional Questions and Comments

If you have any further questions about the above information, please contact the LA Program via:

• LA Program Team E-mail: [email protected]
• OHR Office Location: 441 4th Street NW, Suite 570N, Washington, DC 20001
• OHR Desk Phone: (202) 727-4559

When you call or visit us and require language assistance, our staff will connect you with a live interpreter to ensure we can assist you effectively.

Please note that while OHR is available to answer questions to the best of our ability, any information provided should not be considered legal advice.

 

This webpage was last updated on February 12, 2026.