About Our Language Access Plan
What is Language Access?
On October 6, 2011, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 26, which directed state agencies to provide language assistance services (translation and interpretation) to people of Limited English Proficiency (LEP). LEP individuals are identified in a Language Access Plan developed by each agency.
Interpretation versus translation:
Interpretation is spoken and translation is written. Affected agencies should provide an interpreter for any language. This service is primarily provided by phone. They should also translate select vital documents into specific languages. The languages are those that agencies identify in their plans as the most widely used by LEP individuals who access their services.
What is considered a vital document?
The U.S. Department of Justice Language Access Assistance Guide states, “vital written documents include, but are not limited to:
- consent and complaint forms;
- intake and application forms with the potential for important consequences;
- written notices of rights;
- notices of denials, losses, or decreases in benefits or services;
- notices of disciplinary action;
- signs; and
- notices advising LEP individuals of free language assistance services.”
What are the top languages into which agencies will translate vital documents?
At the moment, Spanish, traditional Chinese, Russian, Haitian-Creole, Korean and Bengali are the top six languages.
This is based on US Census data and may change over time. Some agencies may also choose to add additional languages based on their experience and other federal requirements.
Get Free Language Assistance
1-800-342-3736
Español (Spanish)
Llámenos al 1-800-342-3736 si necesita ayuda gratis en su idioma.
中文 (Chinese)
請給我們打電話號碼 : 1-800-342-3736, 要求免費的語言協助服務。
Русский (Russian)
Чтобы получить бесплатные переводческие услуги, позвоните, пожалуйста, по следующему номеру: 1-800-342-3736
Kreyòl ayisyen (Haitian-Creole)
Tanpri rele nou nan 1-800-342-3736 pou jwenn sèvis èd gratis nan lang.
Bengali
অনুগ্রহ করে বিনামূল্যে ভাষা সহায়তা পরিষেবার জন্য আমাদের ফোন নম্বরে 1-800-342-3736 ফোন করুন।
한국어 (Korean)
전화 1-800-342-3736 로 무료 언어 지원 서비스를 요청하십시오
Polski (Polish)
Pod numerem telefonu 1-800-342-3736 otrzymają Państwo bezpłatną pomoc językową.
Italiano (Italian)
Chiamare il 1-800-342-3736 per assistenza linguistica gratuita.
Who's making sure this happens?
Each agency has a Language Access Coordinator to oversee the agency's Language Access Plan. The Deputy Secretary of Civil Rights in the Governor's Office will make sure each agency complies with the order.
Agencies also have uniform documents to help people identify the services that are available. Posters, notices, and complaint forms are all the same, so people can easily identify and recognize them.
What if someone does not receive adequate language assistance?
Those who feel that we have not provided adequate interpretation services, or have denied them access to an available translated document, may submit a Language Access Complaint Form to give us their feedback.