Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Policy
Salaam Equitable Opportunities Fund (SEOF) is committed to ensuring that individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) have equal access to our financial products, technical assistance, and business support services. In compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Executive Order 13166, SEOF will take reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to services for individuals who have difficulty speaking, reading, writing, or understanding English.
Commitment to Language Accessibility
SEOF recognizes that many individuals within its Target Market (TM), including immigrants, refugees, and non-English-speaking entrepreneurs, may require language assistance to fully access our programs and services. SEOF ensures that:
- No individual is denied services based on their ability to communicate in English.
- Interpretation and translation services are available to assist LEP individuals in accessing our financial and technical assistance programs.
- Staff are trained on how to accommodate LEP individuals and provide necessary support.
- Outreach materials are made available in multiple languages based on community needs.
Language Assistance Services
SEOF will provide the following services to support LEP individuals:
1. Oral Interpretation Services
- SEOF will provide free interpretation services upon request for any LEP individual accessing financial assistance, technical assistance (TA), or business development programs.
- Interpretation may be provided via bilingual staff, professional interpreters, or language line services.
2. Translation of Key Documents
- Key documents, including loan applications, program descriptions, and borrower rights information, will be translated into the most commonly spoken languages in our Target Market.
- SEOF will prioritize Spanish, Arabic, Urdu, Punjabi and other languages based on the demographics of the communities served.
3. Bilingual Staff & Community Engagement
- SEOF currently has trained bilingual staff, and will strive to hire bilingual staff where possible to enhance language accessibility.
- Partnerships with community-based organizations and ethnic chambers of commerce will be established to improve outreach and service delivery.
4. Outreach & Education
- SEOF will conduct financial literacy workshops in multiple languages to help non-English-speaking entrepreneurs navigate the lending process.
- Marketing and outreach materials will be made available in multiple languages to ensure broad accessibility.
Identifying LEP Needs
To determine the language needs of our Target Market, SEOF will:
- Collect primary language data from clients at loan origination and loan closing.
- Conduct periodic assessments of the primary languages spoken in the communities we serve.
- Use demographic data and community feedback to identify and address language barriers.
- Track requests for language assistance to continuously improve service delivery.
Filing a Complaint Regarding Language Access
If an individual believes they were denied services due to language barriers, they may file a complaint with SEOF. Complaints must be submitted in writing and will be reviewed promptly.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 202-888-6788
SEOF will take corrective action as needed to ensure compliance with LEP access requirements.