Demand for Translation Services in NYC Schools is Rising

The demand for translation services in NYC is about to start rising. At least, this will be the case if the New York City Department of Education (DOE) makes good on a recent promise to provide better interpretation and translation services to NYC schools. 

 

Earlier this year, a lawsuit brought forward by Legal Services NYC, claimed that the DOE was failing to provide adequate interpretation and translation services to the parents of children in New York schools. Thankfully, this is now changing. 

 

 

 

Why are Translation Services in NYC Schools Important? 

 

 

As an English-speaking parent, you likely take it for granted that you can call your child’s school at any time to discuss their welfare. However, imagine what it would be like if you couldn’t. Worse, imagine what it would feel like to be notified of an accident at school if you were unable to understand the full contents of a phone call. 

 

As it stands, not being able to communicate directly with educators and school representatives, is a very real problem for many parents.  

• Often, parents who are not native English speakers feel excluded from being able to participate in their child’s education. 
• According to Legal Services NYC, some parents have difficulty accessing important information concerning everything from their child’s academic performance to what hospital children have been sent to after serious accidents. 
• Parents of children with disabilities who do not speak English, find it particularity difficult to ensure their child’s safety at school. 

Thankfully, NYC parents who are not native English speakers are entitled by law to access to interpretation and translation services in NYC. 

 

 

How Can Parents Make Use of Translation Services in NYC? 

 

As brought to light by the recent New York City DOE lawsuit, it often isn’t easy for parents to access interpretation or translation services when communicating with schools. However, contrary to what many parents think, schools are legally bound to offer interpretation and translation support to parents. 

 

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, prohibits any U.S. institution that receives federal funds from discriminating on the basis of national origin. What this means for parents is simple. 

• As a parent, you have the right to ask that NYC schools translate any written correspondence to you to your native language.
• In meetings with educators and school representatives, parents can request that interpreters are present. 
• When schools need to contact parents in emergencies, parents have the right to have important messages translated or interpreted.

Admittedly, exercising these rights has been difficult in the past. However, this year's New York City DOE lawsuit is hanging this.  

 

How Should Educators Now be Utilizing Translation Services in NYC? 

 

Are you an educator in New York City? If so, you might have concerns about how to practically cater to non-English speaking parents. However, this needn’t be the case. 

 

While it can be costly to hire full-time interpreters and translators, we at Languagers make it easy to make use of interpreters and translator services in NYC on an as-needed basis. This means that you can work with us any time 24/7 to arrange phone, video, or face-to-face interpreting. When preparing written correspondences for parents, we can also translate these for you in under 24-hours. 

 

Does your school or learning center need to do more to cater to non-English speaking children and their parents? If so, let us help you keep costs low as you do so. Simply reach out to one of our team today to find out how we can help.