Gaming Commission

What is Language Access?

On October 6, 2011, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 26, which directed state agencies to provide language assistance services (translation and interpretation) to people of Limited English Proficiency (LEP). LEP individuals are identified in a Language Access Plan developed by each agency.

Interpretation versus translation:

Interpretation is spoken and translation is written. Affected agencies should provide an interpreter for any language. This service is primarily provided by phone. They should also translate select vital documents into specific languages. The languages are those that agencies identify in their plans as the most widely used by LEP individuals who access their services.

What is considered a vital document?

The U.S. Department of Justice Language Access Assistance Guide states, "vital written documents include, but are not limited to:

• consent and complaint forms;
• intake and application forms with the potential for important consequences;
• written notices of rights;
• notices of denials, losses, or decreases in benefits or services;
• notices of disciplinary action;
• signs; and
• notices advising LEP individuals of free language assistance services."

What are the top languages into which agencies will translate vital documents?

At the moment, Spanish, traditional Chinese, Russian, Haitian-Creole, Korean and Bengali are the top six languages.

This is based on US Census data and may change over time. Some agencies may also choose to add additional languages based on their experience and other federal requirements.

Who's making sure this happens?

Each agency has a Language Access Coordinator to oversee the agency's Language Access Plan. The Deputy Secretary of Civil Rights in the Governor's Office will make sure each agency complies with the order.

Agencies also have uniform documents to help people identify the services that are available. Posters, notices, and complaint forms are all the same, so people can easily identify and recognize them.

What if someone does not receive adequate language assistance?

Those who feel that we have not provided adequate interpretation services, or have denied them access to an available translated document, can submit our complaint form to give us your feedback.
Access to Services in Your Language: Complaint Form 

In addition to English, the Language Access Complaint form is available in the following languages:

Español (Spanish):
La política del Estado de Nueva York incluye proveer servicios lingüísticos en la prestación de servicios y programas públicos. Si usted cree que no se le ha brindado un servicio adecuado de interpretación o que se le ha negado un documento disponible en versión traducida, por favor solicite un formulario de queja y háganos saber su experiencia. Llámenos al 518-388-3415 si necesita ayuda gratis en su idioma.
Acceso a los Servicios en su Idioma: Formulario de Reclamo 

繁體字 (Traditional Chinese):
紐約州政策要求提供公共服務和計畫的語言協助。如認為我們未為您提供充分的口譯服務，或拒絕為您提供現有可用翻譯文件，請索取投訴表，向我們表達反饋意見請給我們打電話,號碼：518-388-3415 ，要求免費的語言協助服務。
您需要的語言服務：投訴表 

Русский  (Russian):
Руководящим принципом администрации штата Нью-Йорк является предоставление услуг языкового доступа к общественным службам и программам. Если вам кажется, что вам не предоставили надлежащие переводческие услуги или что вам отказали в доступе к тому или иному переведенному документу, попросите, пожалуйста, бланк жалобы и поделитесь с нами своим мнением об этом. Чтобы получить бесплатные переводческие услуги, позвоните, пожалуйста, по следующему номеру: 518-388-3415.
Доступ к службам на родном языке – бланк жалобы 

Kreyòl ayisyen (Haitian-Creole):
Règleman Eta New York se pou bay aksè nan lang nan sèvis ak pwogram piblik yo. Si ou panse nou pa t ba ou sèvis entèpretasyon konvnab oswa si nou te ba ou refi pou yon dokiman tradui ki disponib, tanpri mande fòm plent nou an pou ban nou remak ou. Tanpri rele nou nan 518-388-3415 pou jwenn sèvis èd gratis nan lang.
Aksè nan Sèvis nan Lang Ou: Fòm pou Fè Plent 

한국어  (Korean):
뉴욕주의 정책은 공공서비스와 프로그램들을 접근하는 언어를 제공하는 것 입니다. 만일 여러분께서 우리가 적절한 통역서비스 제공하지 않았거나 유효한 번역서류를 거부했다고 생각되시면, 귀하의 피드백을 주실 불만신고 양식을 요청하시기 바랍니다. 전화 518-388-3415 로 무료 언어 지원 서비스를 요청하십시오.
귀하 언어로 서비스  이용: 불만 신고 양식 

বাঙালি (Bengali):
নিউইয়র্ক স্টেটের নীতি অনুযায়ী সরকারি সেবা এবং কার্যসূচিতে ভাষা সহায়তা প্রদান করা হয়ে থাকে। আপনি যদি মনে করে থাকেন, আপনাকে পর্যাপ্ত অনুবাদ সহায়তা প্রদান করা হয়নি অথবা অনূদিত নথি থাকা সত্ত্বেও আপনাকে দিতে অস্বীকার করা হয়েছে, তাহলে অনুগ্রহ করে আপনার মতামত জানানোর জন্য আমাদের অভিযোগ ফর্মের ব্যাপারে যোগাযোগ করুন। 518-388-3415 এ ফ্রি ভাষা সহায়তা পরিষেবাদিতে আমাদের কল করুন।

আপনার নিজের ভাষায় পরিষেবা অ্যাক্সেস: অভিযোগ ফর্ম