Community members who speak languages other than English can now access language identification materials and free interpretation resources at City facilities across Sacramento.

“I Speak” materials are now available at public counters and facilities throughout the city to help residents communicate with City staff and connect with interpretation services when needed.

“Language should never be a barrier to accessing City services,” said Alicia Scholer, the City’s Language Access Coordinator. “These tools help ensure anyone can communicate with staff and receive assistance in the language they are most comfortable using.”

Displays are available at locations including police facilities, community centers, the Department of Utilities customer service counter, the Planning and Building counter, Front Street Animal Shelter, the Revenue Division counter at New City Hall and Hart Senior Center.

The materials help staff quickly identify a person’s preferred language so residents can more easily ask questions, receive information and access City services.

Each display includes:

• Information about free interpretation and document translation services
• “Point to Your Language” handouts residents can use to identify their language
• “I Speak” cards residents can show to staff to indicate the language they speak

The “I Speak” cards are currently available in Sacramento’s top eight limited English proficiency languages: Spanish, Hmong, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Russian, Vietnamese, Tagalog and Punjabi.

Additional languages are expected to be added in the future.

Residents can take a printed “I Speak” card with them or save a digital version to their phone for future visits to City facilities.

Community members can request interpretation services at no cost when visiting City facilities.

More information about the “I Speak” program is available on the City’s website.