To advance language access , the LAO requires that all City departments that provide information or services directly to the public :
Develop and implement a language access policy ; 4
Designate a staff member to serve as a language access liaison ; 5
Notify the public of their right to request Department information and services in their language , including through publicly-posted
6 signage ; and
Use interpretation and translation to convey all public-facing vital information and services in the designated threshold languages .
The three threshold languages are currently Spanish , Chinese and Filipino .
Under the LAO , a “ threshold language ” in San Francisco is a language population that has at least 10,000 or more Limited English Proficient ( LEP ) persons . 7
Departments are also encouraged to translate information for Emerging Language Populations .
The LAO defines “ Emerging Language Populations ” as language populations that comprise at least 2.5 % but less than 5 % of San Francisco ’ s population and use a Department ’ s services , or at least 5,000 but less than 10,000 City residents , who speak a shared language other than English . 8
4
San Francisco Administrative Code , Sec . 91.14 ( b ).
5
San Francisco Administrative Code , Sec . 91.14 ( c ). The LAO refers to this role using the term “ language access coordinator .”
6
7
8
San Francisco Administrative Code , Sec . 91.5 ( a ).
San Francisco Administrative Code , Sec . 91.1 ( b )( 7 ).
San Francisco Administrative Code , Sec . 91.2 .
8