For nearly a decade, an executive order has called on Guam’s government agencies to create language access plans—but that mandate has gone largely unfulfilled. Now, Senator Shelly Calvo says it’s time to act. At a recent roundtable, the chair of the Committee on Disability Services proposed a new interagency working group to make sure deaf, hard of hearing, and limited-English residents can finally access critical services without barriers.

Language is more than words—it’s the foundation of connection. And for Guam’s deaf and hard of hearing community, the lack of access has often meant exclusion. At a roundtable this month, lawmakers, agency leaders, and advocates gathered to change that. For years, Executive Order 2015-015 has required all government agencies to adopt and carry out language access plans. But nearly a decade later, the mandate remains mostly unmet.

That could soon change. Senator Calvo announced her plan for a new interagency working group to bring government into compliance.

"Our commitment to DHH inclusion is not about compliance, it's about equity, accountability, and institutional trust. Let this hearing be a turning point, toward lasting change," she said.

Language access is essential to ensuring every resident of Guam can fully participate in public life. Communication is the pinnacle of human interaction. The September 15 roundtable drew voices from across the government—DISID, Education, Public Health, Guam Behavioral Health, UOG, and Guam Legal Services. Even the Judiciary and Guam Police submitted testimony.

What they all agreed on: the gaps are urgent. From the shortage of qualified interpreters, to the lack of captioning during emergencies, to the need for workforce training and sustained funding.

Michelle Perez, director of the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities, said, "We really think we need to be there for these individuals. We need to provide these services. I know when we spoke to Mr. Lizama, he did bring up some good ideas to try and bring out more people to do interpretation and what incentives we can provide? And i think that's something we all can provide as a community need to figure out. It takes a certain person to do that. Not everyone can be an ASL interpreter. And i know the courts have their own interpreters, i think we are pulling at all different directions. Doe also has their own and we are trying to fight in their own little pool. We need to figure out an opportunity for individuals who want to be interpreters whether they be family members who become certified, and give  good incentive for this program."

The proposed working group, led by DISID, would set benchmarks, provide technical assistance, and ensure agencies not only draft plans but also implement and evaluate them.

"How do you communicate with a law enforcement I have a hearing impairment. But they may think he's being aggressive so how do you communicate? So DISID and CEDDARS provided disability and sensitivity awareness training to GovGuam employees first responders, and it's part of the post requirement its not to say we cant do more," she said.

And while the immediate focus is on residents who are deaf and hard of hearing, Calvo says the effort must also extend to Guam’s diverse community of limited-English speakers—ensuring no one is left unheard.

The committee says the next steps will include drafting shared goals for all agencies, as well as identifying funding streams to train interpreters and improve communication tools.