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Language and Communications Access

Our goal is to make the City of Boston accessible for everyone.

The Office of Language and Communication Access (OLCA) strives to empower speakers of all languages and communication abilities to receive the full spectrum of services offered by the City of Boston and play a critical centralized role in decision making. 

Contact
  • 1 City Hall Square
    Room 817
    Boston, MA 02201
  • icon-time
    Office hours
    Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Feedback

    Share your feedback with us by emailing:

    LCA@boston.gov

About the office

In 2016, Mayor Walsh signed a City ordinance to make the City more accessible for people who use languages other than English (LOTE) or have at least one disability. 

In 2022, the City passed an amended language and communication access ordinance.

Read the ordinance

Three federal mandates support our mission. These laws protect people from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, or proficiency in English:

  • Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VI
  • Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Title II
  • Federal Executive Order 13166 (2000)

Our goal is to support City departments in three different areas:

Interpretation

What is interpretation? When you listen in one language and then communicate what is said in a different language. We will offer services on-site and by telephone. We will be able to do this through City staff and third-party vendors. We will also offer interpretation in American Sign Language in person, as well as through Video Remote Interpreting (VRI).

Translation

What is a translation? When you take written text and convert it into another language. A translated document reflects the meaning of the original text as much as possible. We will work with qualified individuals and businesses to provide this service.

Assistive technology

What is an assistive technology? Tools and services that make life easier for those who need more support.  These technologies include:

  • Assistive Listening Devices
  • Interpretation equipment
  • Communications Access Real-Time Translation (CART)

Compliance Process

Our office in partnership with all city departments worked together to identify and create accessible programming, services and information for Boston residents to form their Language and Communications Access Plans. These plans will be updated biannually. We encourage Boston residents to share feedback with us regarding these plans. Our office and departments will work together to address accessibility complaints and learn and grow from every feedback.

Multilingual Demographic Data Report

Demographic Data Report

LCA Dashboard

LCA Dashboard

About the Dashboard

The Departments of Language & Communications Access (LCA) and Analytics developed a dashboard to provide an overview of language accommodations provided by the City of Boston and related spending.  

Using the Dashboard 

The dashboard shows data for on-demand interpretation and for accommodations requested by City departments. On-demand interpretation refers to a type of language service available to residents that provides instant access to professional interpreters via phone or video. Accommodations requested by departments include translation of documents, interpretation at events, and Communications Access real-time (CART) captioning. Here are some things to consider while viewing the dashboard: 

Page 1 & 2

  • Click on “Filter by Fiscal Year” to see a dropdown list of data starting in fiscal year 2022 (FY22)
    • A fiscal year refers to the 12 month period of July 1st to June 30th. For instance, FY25 includes July 1st, 2024 to June 30th, 2025
  • Click on English or a different language to see the translated text for the dashboard

Page 1: City Usage Data

  • LCA provides four primary types of language accommodations: interpretation, translation, CART, and American Sign Language (ASL)
    • The 4 boxes show the number of requests placed for each accommodation in any given fiscal year 
    • The boxes in light blue show totals for all 4 accommodations
      • Total number of languages requested across accommodations 
      • Top 10 most requested languages with the count of the language 
      • Total amount spent on all 4 accommodations 

Page 2: Language Line Data 

  • For over-the-phone interpretation (OPI) and video remote interpretation (VRI) we have the same metrics for both:
    • Total amount spent
    • Number of hours for each type of call
    • Total Number of languages requested

Upcoming Events

Events
Contact
  • 1 City Hall Square
    Room 817
    Boston, MA 02201
  • icon-time
    Office hours
    Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Feedback

    Share your feedback with us by emailing:

    LCA@boston.gov

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