Language Assistance Services

(1) Basis for Services. Parties who require language assistance services to ensure meaningful access to, participation in and understanding of Commission proceedings, programs or services, shall be provided such services. (2) Request Required. Language and interpreter assistance services may be provided if the individual in need or his or her representative makes a written or verbal request for such services in advance of the proceeding, or if the Commission determines there is a need for said services. The Commission retains discretion to determine when such services are needed. (3) Type of Services. The services to be provided, whether telephonic interpretation, professional interpretation services, or interpretation by a competent bilingual staff member or other bilingual individual, or other language assistance service, shall be determined by the Commission. (4) Adequate Notice Required. Parties requiring language assistance services shall make every effort to give adequate notice to the Commission of the need for such services. If the Commission determines that such services are required and inadequate notice has been provided to secure such services, a proceeding may be continued until such time as the services may be secured. (5) Request for a Specific Interpreter. Whether to allow a party's request for interpretation services from a particular individual is entirely within the discretion of the Commission.