INTERPRETER SERVICES

Pursuant to Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Department carries out an affirmative action plan for the hiring and advancement of people with disabilities. A very basic concept of affirmative action and nondiscrimination is reasonable accommodation. With respect to people who are deaf or hard of hearing, sign language or oral interpreters are needed to ensure full and effective communication in carrying out work, responsibilities and in meeting the mission and goals of HUDs various offices.

HUD presently employs four deaf or hard-of-hearing people at its Headquarters location in Washington, DC who require assistance to communicate within the workplace on a full-time basis, which includes spoken, video conference, and telephone translation. Additional interpreting services may be required to support new hires in accordance with Section 501 of Rehabilitation Act. The Contractor may be required to travel to HUDs regional offices to provide interpreting services on an ad hoc basis. Several of these employees hold jobs which require daily communication with other staff members, as well as the public. During Fiscal Year 2021, the Department purchased approximately 9,600 hours of interpreting services to accommodate people with disabilities.