Language Access Order
Presenters:
Bookda Gheisar, Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Tyler Emsky, Commission Office
Item number: 10a_supp
Meeting Date: April 18, 2023
Highlights of the Language Access Order
• Makes language access a permanent, ongoing commitment by
the Port of Seattle in every department and every division.
– OEDI and ER to develop Language Access Guidance Manual for use by
departments in developing their plans.
– OEDI and ER to assist every department in developing/updating
annual Language Access Plans.
– Departments and divisions shall establish and/or update language
access plans on an annual basis starting no later than 2025.
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Highlights (continued)
• Language Access Plans to consider the needs of people who
communicate using American Sign Language.
• Per authority granted by Salary and Benefits Resolution, prior
to the 2025 budget development process Human Resources
will propose a policy and compensation model for Port
employees who are tasked with translation services.
• OEDI and ER to report to the Commission and Executive
Director by February 2024 on the findings of language access
assessments.
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2025
OEDI
External Relations
OEDI+ER
All Departments and
Divisions
Human Resources
Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec
2023 2024
Apr 11 - Feb 29 Conduct Department Assessments
Apr 11 - Sep 1 Conduct prioritized self-assessment
Apr 11 - Feb 29 Collaborate on Aviation Division Assessment
Apr 11 - Feb 29 Develop Language Access Guidance Manual
Report to Commission on findings of
language access assessments
Feb 29
Mar 1 - Sep 30
Provide technical assistance to
Departments and Divisions to establish
Language Access Plans
Language Access Plans in Place, updated
annually going forward
Jan 1
Apr 11 - Jun 1 Develop Employee Translation Compensation Model
Apr 11 - Feb 29 Support OEDI Department Assessment
Mar 1 - Sep 1 Develop and budget for Language Access Plan
Language Access Order Implementation Timeline
Thank You
Questions?
5
