By Vincent Martinez, USCM Intern
August 11, 2008

New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg signed the city’s first Language Access Executive Order. Executive Order 120 increases the quality of customer service provided by more than 100 city agencies by supplying oral/written language translation services, translation of important public documents, and interpretation services. Interpretation services will include the use of telephonic interpretation for the city’s abundance of foreign language speakers. With the help of Executive Order 120, the city plans on providing language assistance in the top six foreign languages of the region: Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Korean, Italian and French Creole. It requires agencies to translate public documents, pamphlets and forms in the stated languages and also provides telephone based services.

With approximately 170 foreign languages spoken, Bloomberg seeks to improve access to city government information and services to allow inclusion of all city members. “All New Yorkers should have the same opportunities,” said Bloomberg. “This Executive Order will make our city more accessible, while helping us become the most inclusive municipal government in the nation.”

The Language Access Executive Order shows Bloomberg’s dedication to extending services to residents with limited English speaking ability. In 2003, the 311 Customer Service Center provided residents with information in 170 different languages. The Translation Unit in the Department of Education provides parents and guardians with information in eight languages. Local Law 73, which was signed by Bloomberg in 2003, provides enhanced language access for limited English speakers in four major sectors: the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the Department of Homeless Services, the Administration for Children’s Services and the Human Resources Administration.

The type of services provided is dependent on the amount and type of public interactions by each agency. The City’s Customer Service Group will work with the Mayors Office of Immigrant Affairs to insure compliance. Although actual cost of this project is not known, Bloomberg states that it is only a small percentage of the total budget.