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City’s Language Access coordinator briefs commission on translated materials, interpretation services and outreach
Summary
Alicia Schuler outlined the Language Access program’s audit findings, a published policy, translations and interpretation volumes, and community outreach tools including an 'I speak' card campaign; commissioners praised early progress and asked for clarity on long‑term funding for contracted interpretation and expanded language coverage.
Alicia Schuler, the city’s Language Access coordinator, presented the Language Access program, summarizing an external audit that produced 16 recommendations and the city’s steps to implement them.
Schuler said the city published a translated Language Access policy in May 2025 and has created internal tools (a staff web page, a public request form, "I speak" pocket cards and a brief resource guide). She reported approximate service volumes for the fiscal year — about 2,600 documents translated across departments (roughly 70% into Spanish) and 1,355 interpretation calls — and described a roster of certified bilingual staff and 18 community ambassadors covering 25–26 languages. "La política de acceso lingüístico de la ciudad establece el mismo umbral de población que la ley de servicios bilingües de los Estados Unidos," she said, explaining how the city prioritizes Spanish in translation and interpretation resources.
Commissioners praised outreach examples (Spanish‑language virtual office hours, interpreted community events) and raised questions about budgets for contracted professional translations and whether sign language and braille services should be treated as language access or accessibility accommodations. Schuler said departments currently cover most interpretation/translation costs and that the program will continue to identify priority documents for professional translation.
Next steps: the language access office will continue ambassador recruitment, expand outreach at community events (including Spanish‑language coverage) and provide clearer guidance to departments on when to use contracted professional services versus internal bilingual staff.
