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. The Wordly AI translation, captioning, and subtitle solutions help meet these evolving requirements.

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 Access Regulations

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

Language Access 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 Language Access Applies to Meetings and 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.

Language Access 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

Language Access 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 Language Access Applies to Meetings and 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.

Language Access 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.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions on Language Access

Which regulations apply to language access?
‍Language access is governed by multiple regulations depending on the region. In the U.S., Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, the ADA Title II Final Rule, and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act require equal access for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) and Deaf or Hard of Hearing individuals. In Canada, Bill 96 mandates the use of French in Quebec while still allowing multilingual support. In Europe, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) sets standards for accessibility across digital services and live events. Collectively, these laws ensure equitable access to information and services.

‍How can AI help meet language access requirements?
‍AI-powered translation and captioning solutions provide real-time support for dozens of languages, enabling organizations to comply with language access regulations more efficiently. Tools like AI transcription, speech-to-text, and text-to-speech make meetings, events, and digital services accessible to non-English speakers and individuals with disabilities. Unlike traditional approaches, AI makes language access scalable, faster to implement, and cost-effective.

‍What deadlines and penalties exist?
‍Each regulation includes strict timelines and consequences. Under the ADA Title II Final Rule, U.S. municipalities with over 50,000 residents must comply by April 24, 2026, and smaller municipalities by April 24, 2027. Quebec’s Bill 96 compliance deadline is June 2025. The European Accessibility Act requires compliance by June 28, 2025. Penalties for non-compliance range from fines (up to $30,000 CAD under Bill 96) to lawsuits, loss of federal funding, and operational restrictions in the U.S. and EU.

‍How does Wordly support compliance?
‍Wordly provides a comprehensive suite of AI translation, captioning, and transcription tools designed to help organizations meet evolving language access mandates. With support for dozens of languages, real-time captions and subtitles, and accessibility features like text-to-speech, Wordly helps government agencies, businesses, and event organizers deliver compliant and inclusive communication. Wordly makes it easier to meet regulatory requirements while creating equitable access for all participants.

Stay Compliant with Wordly

Meeting language access requirements is more than just compliance—it’s about creating an inclusive and equitable experience for all users. 

Wordly offers a proven solution that is easy to implement, easy to use, and very affordable. We have millions users of our AI translation solution in 60+ countries across a wide range of industries and organization sizes.

With Wordly, you can:

✅ Support dozens of languages in real-time translation and captions.
✅ Enhance accessibility with speech-to-text and text-to-speech options.
✅ Ensure compliance with evolving global regulations.

See all of our Live Translation features.

Global Language Access Compliance Regulations
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Learn more about U.S. ADA Title II compliance.
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Learn more about Canada Bill 96 compliance.
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Learn more about EAA compliance.

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‍Stay ahead of language access compliance mandates and make your services more inclusive.