In New York, you can now complain if you are not served in your language
'03.06.2023'
Now you can improve the work of city agencies in New York. Anyone who has experienced language discrimination can file a complaint on the City Comptroller's website.
New York local laws require that all city agencies have access to services and documents in 10 languages. These are Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Bengali, Haitian Creole, Korean, Arabic, French, Urdu and Polish. All signs, brochures, websites owned by city agencies should be available in these languages. The law also requires the City to provide free interpretation services.
Now you have the ability to control these processes. If you were not served in one of these 10 languages at any city office, or if the translation was not clear enough, you can go to the site comptroller.nyc.gov/language-access or scan the QR code in the photo below and write a complaint. Such checks for city agencies are arranged in the office of City Comptroller Brad Lander.
“We appeal to all New Yorkers: if there is a language barrier in any particular government agency, we would love to hear about it. Then we will be able to contact this agency and help them get it up and running.” he declared.
On the subject: Immigrants in New Jersey Demand to Be Allowed to Pass Ukrainian Language Test
According to the controller, now they are thinking about adding service in Ukrainian to some services.
“I, like other New Yorkers, admire the struggle of the Ukrainian people. I was also struck by the Ukrainian activists. I remember once I came to South Brooklyn and was surprised at what a complete set of various public services the Ukrainians themselves organized there. I am going to study the language issue now and think about what we can do to add the Ukrainian language to city services, ”he assured.
