New York has been shown to be a leader in language accessibility and is an established gateway city for many immigrants. Approximately 50% of New York City speaks a language other than English with 25% having limited English proficiency. In 2017, New York City’s City Council adopted Local Law No. 30 to further advance the accessibility of services for people with limited English proficiency. Each department is required to create a language access plan to fulfill their obligation under the new laws.
Language Access Services:
Filing a Language Access Complaint
Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs
Easy-To-Read NYC Guidelines for Clear and Effective Communications
Several Language Access Plans by Department:
New York Department of Transportation Implementation Plan
New York Department of Education Language Access Policies
New York Police Department Language Access Plan
New York Housing Authority Language Access Procedures and Plan
Policies expanding language access: