The City of Detroit has failed to translate multiple announcements about recent emergency situations, including hazardous smoke and extreme heat, according to a statewide immigrant rights group. This failure has potentially left thousands of Detroiters without vital information, as the city’s language access program has been found to be inconsistent.

Language Access Program

The city’s language access program is designed to provide translation services for residents with limited English proficiency. However, the program has been found to be lacking, with many emergency alerts and public service announcements not being translated into languages such as Spanish, Bengali, and Arabic.

Christine Sauvé, policy, engagement and communications manager for the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC), has raised concerns about the city’s language access program. ‘We’re at a point where there needs to be some course correction,’ she said. ‘The city falling short of ensuring residents with limited English have the same resources as other Detroiters is a broader issue.’

City Response

Mayor Mary Sheffield’s spokesperson, John Roach, has stated that the mayor is ‘deeply committed’ to ensuring all Detroiters have access to important information. The city has vowed to make comprehensive improvements to its language access program, including the development of a rapid response strategy and the hiring of additional staff.

Council Member Gabriela Santiago-Romero, who sponsored the ordinance requiring city departments to translate public service announcements during emergencies, has expressed concern about the city’s lack of progress. ‘Immigrants in Detroit already feel like they’re not cared for, like they’re not important, and obviously if we’re not communicating with them, they completely feel as if they’re not even a part of the city,’ she said.

Original reporting: BridgeDetroit — read the source article.