What is an L.E.P?

What does L.E.P stand for?

L.E.P is referring to a person who has Limited English Proficiency. It is a professional term describing a person who is not able to understand or communicate in the language of the country they reside and will need assistance of a language professional. This term is mostly used in the interpreting profession.

In the United States there are 63.7 million Hispanics, making it 19.1% of the population.

The state of Virginia alone reports to having 33% of students have Limited English Proficiency, not counting any family members. To better put it in perspective Virginia is comprised of 10.6% of the Hispanic population and still growing.

Why is it important to know about the significance of L.E.P?

At a professional level being aware of what L.E.P stands for and who it applies to is a key component to providing adequate and accessible resources or services to an individual.

In the Healthcare, medical staff being aware of which patient is of Limited English Proficiency can facilitate patient care and improve medical compliance (Read more). Understanding that a patient may have difficulty speaking or understanding English allows the medical team to arrange appropriate accommodations and provide a language professional qualified or certified. This removes a significant language barrier and prevents hazardous situations caused by poor or limited communication.

This also applies to Legal and Educational sectors. It is important that an L.E.P. individual is provided with a language professional who is qualified or certified in the respective field as indicated by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Title VI, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Human Health Services (H.H.S). It is a law and a right.


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