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989 Chapter 7:Worker guides • Section 1: Multiple program worker guides (07/2026) Hearing, Deaf/Blind or Blind individuals In Oregon, you do not have to speak English, have good hearing or be sighted to apply for public assistance programs. The agency is responsible for ensuring a limited-English-speaking individual is communicated with in words they understand. (A limited-English-speaking household is one that does not have an adult member who is fluent in English.) The agency is also responsible for ensuring that individuals who have difficulty hearing or seeing are communicated with in a way they understand. Oregon’s confidentiality regulations apply to all individuals. Friends and family members of limited-English­ speaking, Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf/Blind or Blind individuals should have no more involvement in the individual’s case than do friends and family members of English-speaking individuals, or individuals who are not Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf/Blind or Blind individuals. The program delivery requirements for limited-English-speaking individuals and Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf/Blind or Blind individuals are equal to those for English-speaking individuals. OOHSIOHA programs are accessible to all individuals and meet individual needs. When a branch office has a caseload of 35 or more limited-English-speaking households that all speak the same foreign language, all forms and notices will be translated into that language (if they have not already been translated into that language). All branch offices with individuals who speak a language for which forms and notices have been translated must then provide forms, notices, and other documents in that foreign language.These are minimum standards and ODHS strives to provide language access to any individuals who request services.. All limited-English-speaking, Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf/Blind or Blind individuals have a right to oral or sign language interpretation services when they apply for or receive benefits from OOHS. Branches that meet the 35 or more standard described in part (4) above must also provide help through a bilingual worker. Ask the individual which language they prefer to speak. If their preference is other than English, inform the individual at intake that they will be assigned bilingual staff member or an interpreter will be provided. If a bilingual staff member is not available for earliest appointment, ask the individual if they prefer to be seen at earliest appointment with an interpreter or if they would prefer to wait for a bilingual worker. See: Non-English-Speaking Customer Communication Guidance for in Person or Over the Phone. Friends and family members should not be used as interpreters because this violates the individual’s right to privacy, and because ODHS cannot be assured of the accuracy of such interpretations. If an individual refuses to use ODHS’s interpreter, record the reason for the refusal in the case record. Always record who provided the interpretation each time an interpreter is used (unless the case has been assigned to a bilingual worker). Remember to talk to the individual and not the interpreter. The individual will be answering all of the questions and making all of the decisions. When an individual completes a form with the help of an interpreter, both the worker and the interpreter should initial the form. Documenting this information is important if there should be a hearing or lawsuit later. Bilingual and Multilingual Staff Roles