Title
Resolution authorizing and directing the Office of the Mayor to present to City Council a complete communications and language access plan by December 31st, 2017. The plan should be budgeted for full implementation in 2018.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Pittsburgh provides services to all residents, including the immigrant and refugee communities, persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP), and individuals with hearing and visual disabilities; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Pittsburgh should be fully accessible and welcoming to its many residents who are sight and hearing impaired; and,
WHEREAS, as a welcoming city where 46 languages are spoken within our public school district alone, Pittsburgh must strive to eliminate barriers to services, including language access; and,
WHEREAS, in order to improve service delivery to residents who have a disability and who are English language learners and members of the LEP community and in accordance with federal law under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the City of Pittsburgh should develop a citywide communications and language access plan; and,
WHEREAS, a comprehensive communications and language access plan should include an audit of existing language and communications services and a scan of each City department for its unique needs; and,
WHEREAS, the plan shall include interpretive services for both in-person and telephone interactions, translated and easy-to-understand City documents, and services for individuals who are visually and hearing impaired.
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH HEREBY ENACTS AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Authorizing and directing the Office of the Mayor to present to City Council a complete communications and language access plan by December 31st, 2017. The plan should be budgeted for full implementation in 2018.