Language Access at OPWDD​

There are millions of New Yorkers who do not speak English as their primary language and have limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English. For these New Yorkers, their Limited English Proficiency (LEP) status presents potential barriers to accessing important government programs and services. Language access is the ability to communicate effectively to people with LEP, by providing linguistically and culturally appropriate language services. ​

To assist people with developmental disabilities, their family members or designees with LEP in navigating the OPWDD service delivery system and ensuring that they successfully receive the supports and services that they are seeking, we provide interpretation (oral or visual communication) and translation (written communication) services. Language access and effective communication also applies to those who are deaf, hard-of-hearing or visually impaired.

Language Access at OPWDD Fiscal Year 2023-2024 (April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024)

• Coordinated language services in over 60 non-English languages, including the top 12 NYS languages.
• Translated over 1,000 vital documents from English into other languages.
• Staff used video remote and in-person interpretation services more than 450 times to communicate with people with LEP accessing OPWDD services.
• Telephone interpretation services were used more than 4,000 times by OPWDD staff (3,000+ uses) and providers (1,000+ uses).
• Obtained simultaneous interpretation equipment and video remote interpretation tablets to support language access efforts.
• Collaborated in the development of Front Door videos in Spanish and Chinese.
• Supported language access efforts for OPWDD’s statewide public awareness campaigns.
• Coordinated translation and interpretation services for the 5.07 Strategic Plan Forums. 
   

The top 12 languages most commonly spoken in New York, besides English, are: 

*Retrieved from the American Community Survey (2018-2022)​

1. Title VI of the Civil Rights Law​
   "No person in the United States shall, on ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, or be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.“​
2. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Section 1557
   Provides that no person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any health program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance on the grounds of race, color, national origin, gender, or age as prohibited under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 or Section 4 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.​
3. New York State 14 CRR 633.4​
   Requires that licensed facilities make free, competent interpreter services available to service recipients in a timely fashion; that necessary steps be taken to provide information in appropriate languages; and that plans of treatment or services be developed for people with limited English proficiency.​
4. New York State Language Access Law​
   The NYS language access law, which took effect on July 1, 2022, codified and expanded New York’s previous language access policy. Under the language access law, all State agencies that interact with the public must provide interpretation services in any language with respect to the provision of agency services or benefits and must translate vital agency documents into the top 12 most commonly spoken non-English languages among people with limited English proficiency in New York based on Census data.​

Browse various language access resources linked below. For questions or additional assistance with language access resources, please contact Sofia Guerrero, OPWDD Statewide Language Access Coordinator via email at [email protected].​

OPWDD Language Access Frequently Asked Questions​

2024 OPWDD Language Access Plan​

nys office of Language Access Annual Report​

Language Identification “I Speak” Card

Your Language Access Rights Brochure​

Person-First and Identity First Language Glossary

American Sign Language Interpretation Video Series​

Language Access Information for OPWDD Providers

OPWDD translates vital documents into the top 12 languages, as mandated by the NYS language access law. The top 12 languages most spoken in New York are: Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Yiddish, Arabic, Bengali, Korean, Haitian Creole, Italian, Polish, French and Urdu. Additionally, we provide translation and interpretation services in other languages, beyond the top 12, as needed or requested by people with LEP that are seeking and receiving OPWDD services.   ​

Vital documents include: ​

• Any OPWDD document that requires an individual, family member or designee’s signature, such as an informed consent form. ​
• Any OPWDD document that provides key information about OPWDD supports and services. ​
• Any behavioral/health information issued by OPWDD, including but not limited to eligibility, treatment plans, service plans, and/or goals.​

Click here to access OPWDD’s library of translated materials.​

For questions or additional assistance with language access resources, please contact Sofia Guerrero, OPWDD Statewide Language Access Coordinator via email at [email protected].

If you have an OPWDD document that has not been translated, or that you need in a language aside from the top 12, please contact: [email protected].

If you or someone you know feel that you have not been provided with adequate language access services, please complete this complaint form or email us at [email protected].​​

Your Right to Submit a Language Access Complaint​

If you or someone you know feel that you have not been provided with adequate language access services, including oral interpretation and translation of documents, please visit the main Language Access page for more information and to file a complaint.