Governor Cuomo: "New York State Government Needs to be Able to Serve All of its Residents No Matter What Language They Speak"
New York State agencies are now
providing free language interpretation in six major non-English languages,
helping all New Yorkers have access to vital government services.
On October 6, 2011, Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order No. 26 that directed state agencies that provide direct services to the public to increase their foreign language access to help the approximately 2.5 million New Yorkers deemed to have Limited English Proficiency (LEP).
On October 6, 2011, Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order No. 26 that directed state agencies that provide direct services to the public to increase their foreign language access to help the approximately 2.5 million New Yorkers deemed to have Limited English Proficiency (LEP).
As of October 10, state
agencies are now equipped to provide free interpretation in Spanish, Chinese,
Russian, Italian, Korean and Haitian Creole, the six non-English languages
spoken by the majority of the LEP community in New York, according to the U.S.
Census.
Agencies also have translated
essential documents, forms and written notices of rights into those six
languages.
“New York State government needs to be able to serve all of its residents no matter what language they speak,” said Governor Cuomo.
“Today our agencies are ready
to provide assistance in the foreign languages that are spoken by most
non-English speakers in our state. With the implementation of this executive
order I am proud to say we are making state government truly work for the many
diverse cultures and communities that have made their home in New York.”
According to the United States Census Bureau, almost 22% of New Yorkers were born outside of the U.S. and almost 30% speak a language at home other than English. Immigrants make up over 27% of New York’s workforce.
In New York City, immigrants
make up more than one-third (37%) of the population and almost one-half (46%)
of the workforce.
The Governor's language access directive requires each agency to conduct a language reassessment at least every two years to determine if additional languages will be needed.
Theo Oshiro from Make the Road New York and a member of The New York State Language Access Coalition noted, “Thanks to Governor Cuomo, millions of New Yorkers will now have equal access to crucial services, programs and benefits in a language they understand. This is a great triumph for the immigrant population.” Members of the coalition include Make the Road New York, Center for Popular Democracy, New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, Legal Services NYC, Minkwon Center for Community Action and New York Immigration Coalition.
“Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order opens doors for many immigrants new to the state and those who have limited English proficiency. We believe that language will no longer be an impediment to access government resources for Asian Americans and immigrants throughout New York,” stated Steve Choi from MinKwon Center.
Katherine Terenzi from New York Lawyers for the Public Interest added, “For all those that have come and made New York their home, the Executive Order has made it possible for residents to communicate effectively with state government.”
For more information about Language Access, visit the Department of Labor’s website at http://labor.ny.gov/
Translated versions of this announcement are available below:
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