Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Statement
In accordance with the prohibition against discrimination on the basis of national origin under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is committed to the accessibility of our programs and activities to those with Limited English Proficiency (LEP), including through implementation of procedures described in this LEP Statement.
If you are an individual with limited English proficiency (LEP) and are in need of assistance in order to access a program, activity, or service at the University, we invite you to engage with the department or unit offering the program, activity, or services to request language assistance. The department or unit may contact the Office for Access and Equity (OAE) to help determine whether the person is an LEP person qualified to receive services and that language assistance is necessary to provide meaningful access. If qualified, the University will make reasonable efforts to provide appropriate language assistance in accordance with applicable law. Although immediate language assistance may not always be available or provided, the University will consider the below factors to help assess if LEP assistance is needed and determine appropriate assistance and resources to ensure access for LEP persons:
- The approximate number and proportion of LEP persons served or encountered in the eligible service population;
- The frequency of contact with LEP persons and the primary languages spoken;
- The nature and importance of each program, activity, or service in providing access for LEP persons; and
- The resources currently being used to provide language assistance to LEP persons.
As an institution of higher education, the University has eligibility standards for undergraduate and graduate student degree programs for which English proficiency is generally required.* University courses are generally taught in English, with the exception of foreign language courses. For employees, English proficiency may be an essential function if it is job-related and consistent with business necessity.
* To secure a student visa, international students must either be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency. See the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Student and Employment Visa Website.
Free Online Translation Tools
The following free online translation tools may be of use to members of the university community. The university does not own or manage these tools and cannot guarantee their accuracy or usability in all circumstances.
- Free Translation and Professional Translation Services from SDL – Translation available between English and 42 other languages including: Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Chinese.
- Free Online Translation Service – Translation available between English and: French, German, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, and Korean. This site also offers a text to speech option.
- Babel Fish Text Translation – Translation available between English and: Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Portuguese, and Spanish.
- ASL Pro – Translation and dictionary between English and American Sign Language. NOTE: Can only translate phrases that are defined by the site.
- Word2Word – Directory of translation services.
- imTranslator – Translation of text in 60 different languages.
- Google Translate – Text or document translation in 80 different languages.
- Babylon – Translation of text in 30 different languages.