TITLE
Recommendation to receive and file a status update on the implementation of the Language Access Policy. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On August 12, 2014, Department of Development Services staff provided a status update to the City Council on the implementation of the Language Access Policy (LAP) adopted by City Council on August 13, 2013. On September 2, 2014, City Council allocated $250,000 toward implementation of the LAP, with $152,000 itemized for phone line translation, and the remainder going to the Language Line Phase 2 Pilot Program, translation of materials, webpage translation, staff training, and public notice of the LAP.
With the funding allocation, a number of initiatives have occurred to further the implementation of the LAP. A directory of staff receiving bilingual skill pay in LAP Languages is complete and uploaded to the City’s intranet for accessibility. City employees have been notified about the directory with utilization instructions.
Development Services has selected a vendor to provide court certified translation and interpretation services to implement the LAP. Development Services staff has requested 175 documents from City Departments to comply with document translation as part of the LAP (Exhibit A). The Language Access Coalition and Centro CHA identified these documents as priority documents to translate. At this time, 106 documents have been received from City Departments and are currently being translated into the LAP Languages.
The Technology and Innovation Department is currently updating the City’s website. During phase one of the website update, Google translate will be made available on the City’s website. During phase two of the website update, the most frequently used webpages will be reviewed, revised, and translated into LAP Languages. Oral interpretation and document translation continues to be available upon request for City Council and Charter Commission meetings, including minutes and agendas.
The Language Line Pil...
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