Do you know your rights? Often consumers are not aware of their rights because legal information is tough to get a hold of, or hard to understand. Proyecto Visión visited a consumer-oriented legal rights Web site, Legal Consumer Guide, to see what information it contained about Executive Order 13166.

For those readers who are not up to speed on EO 13166, it was passed in 2000 to provide meaningful access for individuals who are limited English proficient (LEP) to federally assisted and conducted programs and activities.

Legal Consumer Guides' frequently asked questions page proved informative. It explains the Order was established to better enforce Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that protects recipients of federal financial assistance from discrimination by failing to provide meaningful access to individuals who are limited English proficient. This means federal agencies that provide financial assistance to consumers are required to clarify the assistance obligations for recipients, also known as providing "recipient guidance."

The Order's other obligation requires all federal agencies to meet the same standards as federal financial assistance recipients in providing meaningful access for LEP individuals to federally conducted programs. For example the Immigration and Naturalization Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Prisons are all responsible for providing recipient guidance to consumers.

Know your rights and keep yourself informed! Go to Legal Consumer Guide for information on several areas of law including disability rights, and employment and housing discrimination.

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