68-18 Approving Update to ADA Transition Plan of 2013 and Title VI Plan: Non Discrimination in City Services, Programs & Activities under the Civil Rights Act of 1964

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the City, most notably within the City Police Department in the wake of recent publicized incidents of conflict between law enforcement and African American male youth. The Human Rights Commission staff will continue to expand its educational outreach. Limited English Proficiency (LEP) LEP Policy and the LEP Population of South Bend Similarly, and as part of its overall Title VI mission of inclusivity and non-discrimination, the City is committed to make sure that meaningful access to its services, programs,and activities are available to persons with limited English language proficiency. One of the specific goals of South Bend's Diversity and Inclusion Plan is to ensure that language is no barrier to city services and events. The Latino population of the City of South Bend is roughly 13.0%as shown on the federal 2010 census. Of this Latino population segment, it is uncertain what percentage or number of persons are actually of limited English proficiency, that is, those whose proficiency in speaking, reading,writing or understanding English, as a result of national origin, is such that that it would deny or limit meaningful access to South Bend's programs and services if language assistance were not provided.The City will seek to identify the approximate number or percentage of actual Spanish language speakers with limited English proficiency. Other national origin populations with limited English language proficiency within the City are not significant according to current census and other data ("Asian" is the highest at 1.3%), but the City will take reasonable steps to identify any other population which due to national origin has limited English language proficiency, and will accommodate such persons to the extent reasonably possible. Language Assistance Measures and Continued Plan for LEP Access Translations of documents required to obtain essential City, or to otherwise to assist persons with difficulty communicating in English due to Latino national origin, are currently in progress. Persons with fluent Spanish language ability are employed in several City Departments and in the City Clerk's office, and they translate orally when necessary. These include several supervisory persons in the Departments of Public Works, one assistant in the Mayor's office, and one investigator in the office of the South Bend Human Rights Commission, among others. Written translations of documents necessary to meaningfully access City programs are being done through bi-lingual City personnel and with assistance from Latino non-profits within the City.The South Bend Common Council agenda for each of its two monthly meetings is translated into Spanish and is available in the City Clerk's office. Page 114