Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Language Access topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Omaha City Council proclaims June 8–12, 2026 Language Access Week
Summary
The Omaha City Council read a proclamation recognizing June 8–12, 2026 as Language Access Week and heard remarks from World Speaks Omaha about increasing access to city services for non-English speakers.
The Omaha City Council on June 9 read and adopted a proclamation designating June 8–12, 2026 as Language Access Week.
Mr. President read the proclamation, which cited city school-district figures that nearly 21,000 students speak 108 different languages other than English and said language inclusion "ensures that all individuals…have equitable access to education, health care, justice, and civic participation." The proclamation calls on residents and organizations to promote language access across government, schools and businesses.
Lelay Witty Chavez, executive director and founder of World Speaks Omaha, thanked the council and said the week's goal is "to ensure every person in our community has equal access to critical information, resources, community engagement, and a sense of belonging regardless of the language they speak." Paulina Campos Goodman, program manager at World Speaks, described the group's work training interpreters and supporting organizations to provide services "in their preferred language." Both provided their addresses for the record.
The presentation concluded with a brief photo opportunity. Council members noted the city's linguistic diversity and welcomed the organization's outreach efforts.
The proclamation does not create a new program or funding; it is a formal recognition and a call for community and organizational engagement around language access.
