Today, the DC Office of Human Rights (OHR) announces its new online Language Access training as part of the agency’s deployment of its e-Learning program. The training is free and available not only to District government employees, but to the general public. The online Language Access training is comprised of one (1) module, which covers the following: the basics of Language Access; District demographic data from the 2007 US Census American Community Survey (ACS) on the city’s foreign born population; local and federal laws governing Language Access; customer service guidelines when interacting with limited and non-English proficient (LEP/NEP) individuals; and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). The training amounts to approximately 45 minutes in length, is interactive and scenario-based. The training curriculum is specifically designed to improve the knowledge of District government employees and providers on better serving the city’s LEP/NEP communities.
The District of Columbia is one of the most diverse cities in the United States, inclusive of a foreign born population that amounted to 12.6% of the city’s resident population in 2007 of which 28.4% identified itself as LEP/NEP. DC became the third jurisdiction in the nation to implement a city law that provides equitable access to local government services to LEP/NEP individuals. OHR is committed to not only enforcing the DC Language Access Act of 2004, but to promoting tolerance, equality and fairness to its constituents by training the city’s workforce. The e-Learning program contributes to the agency’s mission of increasing equal opportunity and protecting human rights in the city by informing District government agencies and providers who receive local and federal funds of their obligations under the DC Language Access Act and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In addition to helping people understand the legal foundation behind language access, the training offers information about the services provided by OHR and the District government.
As we strive to be the nation’s Language Access model, we specifically encourage DC government employees to participate in this exciting endeavor. Upon completion of the Program, DC government employees will be able to view and print a Certificate of Completion. In the months ahead, OHR will work with DC government agencies to establish a timeline for the completion of the online training.
To learn more about OHR’s e-Learning modules or to take the Language Access online training, click here: http://dcohrtraining.skillport.com/.