District 196 expands language access: ASL, web accessibility and on-demand interpreting added

The Independent School District 196 School Board on Jan. 12 adopted updates to its language access plan intended to increase families’ ability to access school information in their preferred language or communication mode.

Presenters Janet Swachikowski (communications) and Janet DiCarino (multilingual communications) described a set of changes that include clearer definitions for American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters, alignment with Americans with Disabilities Act and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, improvements to website accessibility, expanded interpretation access beyond English‑learner families, and implementation tools such as welcome signage, language posters at reception desks, and small cards families can use to request interpreter assistance. The district also highlighted on‑demand video remote interpreting (VRI) and the ParentSquare mass‑communication platform as key tools.

Administrators provided usage statistics for VRI to illustrate growth: the pilot year used 525 minutes; the next year used 11,496 minutes; the most recent full year used 25,799 minutes; and the district had logged 18,542 minutes so far this school year. Presenters said staff training, targeted rollouts at seven schools and face‑to‑face outreach (for example, at parent‑teacher conferences) are key to connecting families to available services.

Board members and audience members praised the initiative and asked about outreach and assessment availability. Bethany Barrios, a math teacher, asked whether assessments such as FastBridge and Capti would be offered in other languages; presenters said assessments are taught in English and that the language access plan focuses on family engagement and communication tools. The board moved and approved the language access plan updates (7–0).