Q&A
Language accessibility challenges in the Citizens Air Complaint Program
0:48:46
·
109 sec
Council Member Avilés inquires about the accessibility of the Citizens Air Complaint Program for non-English speakers. Commissioner Aggarwala explains that while instructions and forms are available in multiple languages, complaints must currently be submitted in English due to legal requirements. The DEP is exploring options with the law department to accept complaints in other languages.
- DEP materials are available in multiple languages, but complaint submission is required in English
- The program is underutilized in environmental justice communities
- DEP is working with the law department to explore accepting complaints in other languages
Alexa Avilés
0:48:46
Great.
0:48:46
Thank you, chair.
0:48:49
Excuse me.
0:48:56
So in if a non English speaking individual wishes to submit an idling complaint through the citizen error complaint portal, how how do they go about doing so?
Rohit T. Aggarwala
0:49:08
Thank you, council member.
0:49:10
Right now, as I mentioned in the testimony, all of our materials are available in all of the languages.
0:49:18
The website has the Google translate button, so it can automatically translated the downloadable form is the instructions are all in the variety of languages.
0:49:30
We currently require that the the open form section be submitted in English.
0:49:39
Right now, we do that for a practical reason.
0:49:41
That is something that our inspectors have to rely on to make their complaint that they are signing their names to.
0:49:52
And we are exploring with the law department, what flexibility we would have to accept things in other languages.
0:50:01
And unfortunately, we did not get a determination or guidance from the law department in time for this hearing, so it is something that we would be very eager to work with you with.
0:50:12
But as I said in my testimony, I think the biggest single problem with this program is that it's mainly used in the non EJ parts of New York City.
0:50:22
And so we have to do more to get participation.
0:50:26
In those neighborhoods such as the ones you represent?
Alexa Avilés
0:50:30
Yeah.
0:50:30
I I think I think that point
Ting Ting Wong
0:50:34
definitely
