Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Language Access topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City and True Ridge present language access plan to improve service access for non-English speakers
Summary
Communications Director Allison Justice and True Ridge Executive Director Melissa Escobar presented a language access plan to ensure city services are accessible regardless of language; year one emphasizes forming an internal team, staff training and policy development.
Clerk reported that Communications Director Allison Justice and True Ridge Executive Director Melissa Escobar presented the City of Hendersonville's language access plan. The plan's stated purpose is to ensure residents, visitors and customers can meaningfully access city services regardless of the language they speak.
Clerk said the plan was developed through a program called Language Access for Emergencies and Disasters as part of the Building Integrated Communities course at UNC Chapel Hill and that the process found language access needs beyond emergency situations. The plan therefore has a wider scope for non-emergency city services.
The presenters outlined first-year actions: creating an internal team to manage the plan, staff training, policy development and deploying interpretation resources. The presentation did not include a detailed budget or timeline for full implementation.
