City Language Access Program

Language access is a basic civil right and important for safety, health, and financial security. Providing interpretation, translation, and accessible formats such as Braille or ASL helps English Learners, people with disabilities, and Native American Communities fully participate in society, reducing isolation and building trust in government and healthcare services.

Safety and Legal Protection

• Public Safety: In emergencies, people who do not speak English well, or who are Deaf or blind, need quick access to information to stay safe and follow emergency instructions.
• Legal/Legal/Justice Access: Good interpretation is important for people with disabilities or limited English skills to use the legal system fairly and avoid unfair treatment. Health and Well-being
• Healthcare Access: Language barriers lower the quality of healthcare and increase risks in medical situations. Skilled interpretation helps make sure medical exams are accurate and that patients take their medicine correctly.
• Mental Health: Language is important for expressing feelings; not having services in your own language can seriously affect mental health, especially for immigrants and refugees.
• Disability Rights: For deaf and hard-of-hearing children and adults, access to language, such as ASL, is essential for brain development, preparing for school, and preventing long-term behavioral and health problems.

Financial and Educational Stability

• Economic Opportunity: People who do not speak English well often earn less and have fewer opportunities to participate in the economy. Access to services, job training, and help to start businesses helps them earn more.
• Special Education: Under IDEA, students with disabilities have the right to specialized instruction and communication tools, such as ASL, to avoid learning gaps and receive a fair education.

Community and Identity

• Native American Communities: Supporting native languages is important for keeping personal identity, cultural traditions, and community togetherness.
• Community Trust: Providing services in many languages shows respect, builds trust, and encourages people to join community life, according to the American Immigration Council.

Key Aspects of Providing Access

 Multiple Modalities: Making sure services are provided by staff who speak many languages, with translated materials and interpreters.

• Accessibility for Individuals with Disabilities: Using tools like braille, large print, or ASL to help blind, visually impaired, or deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.
• Training & Competence: Avoid using untrained people, like children, for interpretation, and ensure information is correct in serious situations.

 References

• Boostlingo: What is the difference between Interpretation and translation?
• Global Rescue: Translation vs Interpretation bridging language barriers in Global businesses.

• Reaches More People: Many adults read at a basic level. By keeping information at a 5th-grade level, you ensure that English learners, people in special education, and those under a lot of stress can understand it easily.
• Increases Safety: In an emergency, people don't have time to look up hard words. Short, clear sentences like "Go to high ground" are much safer than technical talk about "evacuating to higher elevations."
• Builds Trust: When experts use "fancy" words or school-like language, it can make people feel ignored or looked down on. Simple language shows that you respect the listener and want them to join the conversation. Mistakes: Big words often have multiple meanings. Simple words are direct. This reduces the chance of someone taking the wrong dose of medicine or signing a contract they don't understand.

• Acronyms Exclude People: Using short forms like "ADA," "IEP," or "LEP" creates a secret code. If someone doesn't know the code, they feel the information is not for them. It is always better to say "the law for people with disabilities" or "the special education plan."
• High-Level Wording Causes Stress: When someone is sick or worried about money, their brain struggles to understand complex words. "Plain talk" lowers their stress and helps them make better choices for their family.
• Clarity for Everyone: Even people with advanced degrees like simple language because it is quicker to read. It saves time and stops "information overload" for everyone in the community.

References

• Image Works: Use Plain Language for More Effective Marketing.
• Snap CEO: Why Writing at a 5th-Grade Level is Important.
• Shelby Academy: 5 Powerful tips to Charm and Connect Through Small Talk.
• Forbes: Why Simple Language Is Always A More Effective Communications Strategy
• Exceptional Lives: Plain language examples before and after: Great communication with your Special Ed families
• NN Group: Plain Language Is for Everyone, Even Experts
• Granicus: Keep it simple for effective communication   
• Michael Mackenzie Communications: The Plain Writing Act of 2010 Ushered in the Benefits of Writing in Plain Language

These cards can be shown to identify the language you speak and that you may need interpretation services.

• انا اتكلم الاعربي للتواصل احتاج الى مترجم فوري.
• 您好, 我说中文,我需要一名翻 译才能和您沟通
• سلام، من دری صحبت میکنم من برای صحبت کردن با شما به کمک یک ترجمان ضرورت دارم.
• Muraho, Ndavuga Icyesipanyoli. Kubwanjye kuvugana nawe nkeneye ubufasha bwumusobanuzi
• سلام، په پښتو خبرې کومد دې لپاره چې زه له تاسو خبرې وکړم زه د .ترجمان مرستې ته اړتیا لرم.
• Hola, yo hablo español y para poderme comunicar con usted necesito la ayuda de un Intérprete
• Jambo, Ninazungumza Kiswahili. Ili niweze kuwasiliana nawe ninahitaji msaada kutoka kwa Mtafisiri.
• Xin chào, Tôi nói Tiếng Việt. Để có thể giao tiếp với quý vị, tôi cần sự giúp đỡ của thông dịch viên.

• Google Translate Tool: Instructions on how to use the website's built-in translation feature for real-time page translation.  (Add Link)
• Telephonic Interpretation Services:  When interacting with City departments the City provides over-the-phone interpretation for Limited English Proficient constituents.
• Signage Information: Notification that free interpretation and sign language services are available upon request at city offices. 

The City prioritizes the translation of "vital documents"—those necessary for accessing services or understanding right into "Safe Harbor" languages (Primarily Spanish, Vietnamese, Arabic. Swahili, and Chinese/Mandarin). 

• Immigrant and Refugee Welcome Guide: A comprehensive resource translated into seven languages. Resource Guide
• Know Your Rights Materials: Resources and recordings on medical/behavioral health spaces and general community protections, available in English and Spanish

• Resource Guide for Immigrants & Refugees
• Language Classes: ESL, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Arabic, Swahili, and Native American Languages.
• List of Agencies, organizations, and programs for Accessibility: Language and Culture.

• Language Access Coordinators: Direction to the Office of Equity & Inclusion which provides technical assistance for language services across all city departments.
• APD Language Access Division Website