Language access refers to providing Limited English Proficient (LEP) persons with meaningful access to the same services as English-speaking individuals.
Someone who does not speak English as their primary language and who has a limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English can be considered a Limited English Proficient, or LEP person. An LEP person does not always refer to a foreign-born individual.
A Language Access plan defines the steps and efforts an agency will take to effectively communicate with and provide LEP persons with meaningful access to information and services.
- For two main reasons: Title VI (6) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Executive Order 13166.
- Title VI (6) of the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.
- Executive Order 13166 states that people who are LEP should have meaningful access to federally conducted and federally funded programs and activities.
Programs receiving federal financial assistance must comply with Title VI (6). Federal financial assistance includes grants, training, use of equipment, donations of surplus property, and other assistance. Subrecipients are also covered, when federal funds are passed from one recipient to a subrecipient. Recipients of federal funds range from state and local agencies, to nonprofits and other organizations.
- Per ACS 2022: ACS 5-Year Estimates, the languages spoken at home other than English in Shawnee County are as follows:
- Spanish: 9,621 or 5.7%
- Asian and Pacific Island languages: 1,397 or 0.8%
- Other Indo-European languages: 1,067 or 0.6%
- Other languages: 280 or 0.2%
The City of Topeka offers language services such as interpretation and professionally translated documents at no cost.
Language access services are completely free.
Over-the-phone and virtual interpretation as well as professionally translated documents are available at City offices.
Interpretation is taking spoken messages from one language to another, while translation is converting written text from one language to another.
Language Line Solution's 20,000+ expert interpreters are intensely vetted, trained, and monitored to ensure linguistic quality and excellence. Language Line's Phone Interpretation Calls are confidential, secure, and HIPPA-compliant.
The Language Access Coordinator serves as the language access liaison to the LEP community and advises city agencies on best practices to communicate effectively with LEP persons, and support and advise the City of Topeka Government on Title VI regulations.
Contact the City of Topeka's Language Access Coordinator.
By sharing feedback, concerns, and complaints with the City, we can become better equipped at providing the community with meaningful access.
The City of Topeka conducts an four factor assessment to ensure meaningful access to City programs and activities by LEP persons.