The Language Access Ordinance (LAO) requires major City departments to ensure they can serve individuals with limited English proficiency in their native language.
The 3 main languages spoken in San Francisco are Spanish, Cantonese (a Chinese dialect), and Tagalog. All City of San Francisco departments that have public contact with Spanish, Cantonese and Tagalog-speaking residents should have:
- Sufficient bilingual staff
- Translated written materials
- Visible, posted notices in several languages to inform public of availability of bilingual materials
- If no bilingual staff available, should offer telephonic interpretation
Here are some examples of San Francisco City & County departments that must comply with the LAO:
- Airport
- District Attorney
- Elections and Voting
- Emergency Services
- Fire Department
- Hospitals and Clinics
- Housing
- Libraries and Public Parks
- Police Department
- Public Benefits (CalWORKs, Food Stamps & Medi-Cal)
- Public Transportation
- Public Utilities (water, electricity)
- Rent Board
- Sheriff’s Office
- Tax Collector
Language Access Network SF (LANSF) is a network of community-based organizations who can share information about language access rights, accompany you to a government agency, assist in navigating the system over the phone or internet, support with interpretation and translation when necessary, and help file complaints.
Contact any of the following LANSF agencies for support:
- African Advocacy Network - 415-503-1032 (3106 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94110)
- Arab Resource & Organizing Center - 415-861-7444 (522 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110)
- Central American Resource Center - 415-642-4400 (3101 Mission Street, Suite 101, San Francisco, CA 94110)
- Chinese for Affirmative Action - 415-274-6750 (17 Walter U Lum Pl, San Francisco, CA 94108)
- Filipino Community Center - 415-333-6267 (4681 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94112)
- Mujeres Unidas y Activas - 415-621-8140 (3543 18th St # 23, San Francisco, CA 94110)
- PODER - 415-431-4210 (474 Valencia St # 125, San Francisco, CA 94103)
Language access complaints may also be filed with the Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs (OCEIA) by calling 415-581-2360, visiting their website, or emailing civic.engagement@sfgov.org.
Please see related article, How can I translate or access the content of a website into my own language?
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