Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 states that

 

No person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color or national origin be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

 

Inability to access, or participate in, federally funded City Programs and Services because of language barriers is a form of prohibited discrimination. Portland’s changing demographics have resulted in significant growth in the City’s limited English proficiency (LEP) population. Thus, in compliance with Title VI and in order to provide quality services to all members of the public, the City of Portland shall take the following steps to ensure accessibility of its programs to its limited English-speaking customers:

 

1.            When needed, the City will provide trained interpreters at no cost to any individual who requires such services in order to participate in a City program. If a bi-lingual employee is available to provide such services, they will be used if they have been trained in interpretive services. Such training for employees may be provided upon the employee’s request, subject to availability of funds.

 

2.            All employees in positions which have contact with the public, whether federally funded or not, will be trained in the procedures to follow when a limited English-speaking customer attempts to access a City Service and there is difficulty in communicating with that customer. Training will be provided in the following areas:

 

a.       Determination of the language needed;

b.      Availability of trained translators through the Refugee Resettlement Program and how and when to call them;

c.       Availability and use of the AT&T Language Line Services; and

d.      Cross cultural awareness training.

 

3.            The City’s policy of ensuring accessibility of City programs and services to all of its citizens, regardless of English proficiency, will be reviewed with appropriate management staff. Each Department will be responsible for identifying its needs for its limited English-proficiency customers, including training needs for Departmental employees and need for translated program materials, and shall work with the Diversity Coordinator to implement this City policy on an ongoing Departmental basis.