Language Access Compliance

What Are The Major Language Access Requirements For the US, Canada and Europe?

Governments and organizations worldwide are implementing language access regulations to promote inclusivity and engagement. New mandates require services to be available in multiple languages and accessible to individuals with disabilities through features like real-time captions, text-to-speech output, and multilingual support.

Wordly provides AI translation, AI captions, AI subtitles, and AI transcription solutions to help organizations stay compliant with evolving language access requirements while enhancing access for diverse audiences. See all the language interpretation options available.

Key Accessibility & Language Regulations

US DOJ Final Rule – Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Overview:

The Department of Justice (DOJ) Final Rule, issued in April 2024, mandates that state and local governments ensure their websites and mobile applications are accessible to individuals with disabilities. This includes compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA to provide equitable access to online public services.

How It Applies to Meetings & Events:

• Government agencies and municipalities must ensure live and virtual public meetings are accessible to individuals with disabilities.
• Real-time captions and transcripts must be provided for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Speech-to-text and text-to-speech tools must be available to make meeting materials accessible before, during, and after the event.

How Wordly Can Help:

✅ Real-time captioning & subtitles into dozens of languages for government meetings and public communications.
✅ Live text-to-speech translation for dozens of languages to improve accessibility for anyone visually impaired.
✅ Multilingual language support for dozens of languages to meet language access requirements for non-English-speaking residents.

Compliance Deadlines:

April 24, 2026 – For municipalities with 50,000+ residents.

April 24, 2027 – For smaller municipalities (under 50,000 residents) and special district governments.

Penalties for Non-Compliance:
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❌ Risk of legal action under the ADA.
❌ Loss of federal funding for non-compliant municipalities.

For more information, see: ADA Final Ruling.

Learn more about Wordly Government Translation solutions.

Canada Bill 96 – Quebec Language Law

Overview:

Bill 96, enacted in June 2022, strengthens the role of French as Quebec’s official language, requiring businesses, municipalities, and public services to prioritize French communications while accommodating other languages in limited situations.

How It Applies to Meetings & Events:

• Government meetings, corporate events, and virtual conferences held in Quebec must prioritize French as the primary language while ensuring accessibility for non-French speakers.
• Public meetings must provide French captions and transcripts to comply with language accessibility requirements.
• Businesses operating in Quebec must communicate in French while offering multilingual options when needed.

How Wordly Can Help:

✅ Real-time French translation for multilingual meetings and digital services.
✅ Captions & transcripts in French, English, and dozens of other languages to provide accessible public communications.
✅ Text-to-speech option for visually impaired individuals.

Compliance Deadlines: June 2025
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Penalties for Non-Compliance:
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❌ Fines up to $30,000 CAD per infraction for businesses and public entities.
❌ Loss of government contracts and operational restrictions.

For more information, see: National Assembly of Québec – Bill 96 Documentation.

European Accessibility Act (EAA)

Overview:

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) requires that public and private digital services be accessible to people with disabilities, including websites, e-commerce platforms, and customer service interactions.

How It Applies to Meetings & Events:

• The EAA requires live captioning for real-time meetings, conferences, and virtual events to ensure accessibility.
• Real-time subtitles must be available for hearing-impaired participants in public sector, e-commerce, and audiovisual meetings.
• Virtual events and hybrid meetings must be accessible with multi-language support and speech-to-text tools.
• Companies hosting webinars, live training, and e-learning sessions must comply with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.

How Wordly Can Help:

✅ Live captions & subtitles for anyone hard of hearing.
✅ Text-to-speech option for visually impaired individuals.
✅ Multilingual translation to meet accessibility requirements.

Compliance Deadlines: June 28, 2025
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Penalties for Non-Compliance:
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❌ Fines and legal action for non-compliance.
❌ Restrictions on business operations in the EU.

For more information, see: EUR-Lex – Directive (EU) 2019/882.

What is Language Access?

Language access refers to providing services and information in a way that allows people with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) or are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (D/HoH) to understand and participate effectively, regardless of their primary language or preferred mode of communication.

‍Key components of language access include:

• Equal Access: The fundamental principle is to ensure people who don't speak English well, or at all, have the same access to vital services and opportunities as English-speaking individuals. This applies to various sectors like healthcare, legal services, education, and government programs.
• Legal Requirements: In many countries, including the US, language access is often a legal requirement, particularly for organizations receiving federal funding. Laws like Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and executive orders mandate these entities take reasonable steps to provide access to their programs and activities for LEP people. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) also ensures communication access for D/HoH individuals.

• Delivery Methods: Language access is often provided by:

  • Interpreters: Audio communication between two or more people who do not speak the same language. This can be in-person, over-the-phone, or via video remote interpreting (VRI).
  • Translation: The conversion of text documents and materials from one language to another. This includes documents like forms, instructions, and brochures.
  • Bilingual Staff: Using staff members who are proficient in both English and other languages commonly spoken by the population being served.
  • Cultural Competence: Beyond just the spoken language, it includes understanding and respecting the cultural nuances that can impact communication and service delivery.

• Language Access Plans (LAPs): Many organizations develop formal plans that outline how they will provide language access services. These plans typically include:

  • A needs assessment of the population served.
  • Identification of language assistance methods (interpretation, translation, bilingual staff).
  • Staff training on language access policies and procedures.
  • Methods for measuring the plan's impact.