Language access plan

I. Purpose and vision

This City’s Language Access Plan (“Plan” or “LAP”) is designed to inform the public and stakeholders of the City’s efforts to comply with laws and regulations related to language access. The Plan looks to enhance the ability of non-English-speaking populations to participate in civic activities and access City services. It guides all City departments, staff, and affiliates on standards and service offerings related to translation, interpretation, and service delivery to linguistically diverse (LD) individuals.

II. Definitions

1. Certified Multilingual (Bilingual) Staff – An employee who has been approved for bilingual pay incentive as specified in their applicable labor agreement.
2. Interpretation – The act of listening to a communication in one language (source language) and orally converting it into another language (target language) while retaining the same meaning.
3. Language Assistance (Access) Services – Oral and written language services needed to assist LD individuals to communicate effectively with staff, and to provide LD individuals with meaningful access to, and an equal opportunity to participate fully in, the services, benefits, activities, and other programs.
4. Limited English Proficiency (LEP) – Describes individuals who do not speak English as their primary language and have a limited ability to read, write, speak, or understand English. These individuals may face challenges accessing services, information, and opportunities readily available to English-speaking populations.
5. Linguistically Diverse (LD) – Describes individuals who speak different languages or different forms of the same language from the dominant culture in a particular setting.
6. Meaningful Access – Language assistance that results in accurate, timely, and effective communication at no cost to the LD individual. For LD individuals, meaningful access refers to access that is not significantly restricted, delayed, or inferior as compared to programs or activities provided to English-proficient individuals.
7. Priority Language – A priority language is any language identified through demographic analysis as meeting or exceeding the 5% threshold established by the Dymally-Alatorre Bilingual Services Act.
8. Qualified Interpreter – An interpreter who has been professionally trained and/or demonstrated competence to interpret through certification, or comparable testing, and is authorized to do so by contract with the City. Qualified interpreters must also demonstrate knowledge of professional standards and adherence to the corresponding professional code of ethics, as well as familiarity with required City terminology.
9. Qualified Translator – A translator who has been professionally trained and/or demonstrated competence to translate through certification or comparable testing and is authorized to do so by contract with the City. Qualified translators must also demonstrate knowledge of professional standards and adherence to the corresponding professional code of ethics, as well as familiarity with required City terminology.
10. Translation – The replacement of a word, phrase, or text in one language (source language) with an equivalent-meaning word, phrase, or text in another language (target language).
11. Vital Documents – are documents that contain critical pieces of information an individual needs to access, retain, or understand rights and responsibilities within a program or service. Examples include applications, request or intake forms, registration materials, reporting tools, agreements, and complaint forms.