Submitted By
Dr. Danielle Walker, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Motion to Accept Staff’s Recommendation for a Language Access Plan.
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Overview
Overview
The Village Board made Language Access a Board Goal under Racial Equity, Priority One: Ensure equitable access to government services and contracts. The Village recognizes the importance of equitable access to public services for individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). This Language Access Plan (LAP) aims to address and remove language barriers for anyone seeking services through the Village, thus ensuring that all can fully participate in the social, economic, and civic life of the VOP community.
The LAP outlines policies, procedures, and resources needed to guarantee that LEP and English Language Learner (ELL) individuals have meaningful access to services, rights, and programs offered by the Village. By providing translation, interpretation, and bilingual staffing, Oak Park seeks to meet both practical needs and legal requirements, and ensuring clear communication.
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Anticipated Actions/Commitments
Recommendation
If accepted, staff will bring back a resolution for adoption.
Report
Language access refers to the ability of individuals who have limited proficiency in the English language (Limited English Proficient, or LEP individuals) to obtain and understand information, services, and resources in a language they can comprehend. This concept ensures that non-English speakers or those with limited English skills can effectively communicate with public agencies, healthcare providers, educational institutions, and other organizations to fully participate in social, economic, and civic life.
Language access involves providing services such as translation of written materials, interpretation services (both in-person and via phone or video), bilingual staff, and the development of language access plans. These services are essential for promoting equity and inclusion, ensuring that all community members, regardless of their language skills, have meaningful access to public services, programs, and rights.
Language access is crucial for local governments for several reasons:
Inclusivity and Equity: Providing language access ensures that all residents, regardless of their language proficiency, can access essential services and participate fully in community life. This promotes equity and inclusivity, allowing everyone to benefit from public services.
Legal Compliance: Many local governments are legally required to offer language access services under laws such as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. This law mandates that programs receiving federal funds must provide meaningful access to people with limited English proficiency (LEP).
Effective Communication: Language access improves communication between residents and local government officials. This is vital for community-building and ensures that important information, such as emergency alerts and public health updates, reaches all community members.
Resource Efficiency: Having a well-planned language access strategy can lead to more efficient use of resources. Instead of reacting to language needs as they arise, a proactive approach helps in better planning and resource allocation.
Community Trust: When residents see that their local government is making efforts to communicate in their preferred languages, it builds trust and encourages greater civic participation
The Language Access Plan (LAP) is a guide on needed policies, procedures and practices to remove language barriers that can inhibit or even prohibit limited English proficient (LEP) or English Language learners (ELL) persons from accessing assistance and/or understanding important rights, obligations, and services, or from communicating accurately and efficiently in a variety of interactions with the Village. This Language Access Policy and Plan is intended to assist the Village of Park’s personnel in ensuring language accessibility in communications/interactions with the public.
DEI Impact
The Village is committed to ensuring that all residents, regardless of language proficiency, can fully access public services. The Language Access Plan advances the Board’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by eliminating barriers and promoting a welcoming, inclusive community for all. Furthermore, language access is crucial because it ensures that everyone, regardless of their language proficiency, can fully participate in society. It is a good example of what it means to be equitable, as for those who speak English may not recognize the privilege in to understand important information about government services, policies, and programs in the language you understand. Language access promotes inclusivity, allowing diverse communities to communicate effectively and feel valued. Access to language is access to opportunity, equity, and dignity.
Alternatives
The Board could delay action to gain more information from staff.