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Office of Language Access walks parents through free translation and interpretation services
Summary
Robert Williams of the NYC Office of Language Access explained how District 25 parents can request translated documents and interpreters, the top covered languages, turnaround times and complaint routes; he encouraged parents to use school language coordinators and 311 when needed.
Robert Williams, external outreach specialist for the New York City Office of Language Access, briefed the District 25 President's Council on free translation and interpretation services available to families and schools.
"My name is Robert Williams. I am the external outreach specialist for the Office of Language Access," Williams said, and he explained how parents can request translation of documents and interpreters for virtual or in-person meetings via the schools.nyc.gov Hello page, a request form, or by calling 311.
Services and access - Top languages and coverage: the city provides written translations in the top covered languages (Arabic, Bangla, Cantonese, French, Haitian Creole, Korean, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish and Urdu) and both traditional and simplified Chinese; the district also noted sizable Gujarati and Hindi populations in District 25. - How to request: schools should appoint a language access coordinator (often the parent coordinator) who attends a 2.5-hour training. Parents can ask the school to submit a translation/interpretation request form (available in the top 10 languages) or call 311 to request help. - Timelines and logistics: schools should request in-person or virtual interpreters at least 10 business days in advance. Document translation turnaround cited was 3–7 business days for up to 1,000 words and 7–10 business days for 1,000–2,000 words. For IEPs and foreign transcripts, Williams said the office will translate into any language on request.
Complaint and feedback routes Williams described a feedback and complaint process: schools receive notice when a parent files a request or feedback, and the Office of Language Access expects schools to respond within 5–7 business days before escalation. He also said sign-language interpretation is handled by a separate office (contact: oslis@schools.nyc.gov).
Why it matters: parents raised language access as a barrier to participation. Williams urged schools to post translated flyers ahead of scheduled events so families can plan and attend, and to use the district translation funds when available for interpreter costs.
Direct quotes and resources Williams noted that more than 13,000 parents prefer spoken communication in a language other than English and a similar number prefer written communication in another language. He also pointed families to the schools.nyc.gov Hello webpage and said: "Families may complete the translation and interpretation service request form to request language services."
Ending Williams encouraged parent leaders and school staff to use language-access coordinators and the online forms, and reminded parents that 311 and the Office of Language Access are available when schools cannot immediately provide services.
