Council Member Ung questions panel on language access in shelters

Thank you.

And Councilmember Nurse?

Oh, Councilmember Ong?

I do have a question for the last gentleman.

What was the language capabilities of the shelter?

Because, you know, what, like he's talking to you now through a translator.

Was there someone like that in the shelter for him?

How did he address his concerns?

Like who was in the shelter that can speak the language?

Did you say like a language line?

No, exactly.

I can talk in English.

So my complaint is I can't write in English.

Sorry, just pull the microphone a little bit closer, please.

That I said that I can talk in English.

I can express my angry or my disagreement by talking.

So I don't have problem to communicate my concern in the shelter.

Yes, Miss Sandra.

He speaks English.

For example, it's not perfect, but he speaks really well.

Oh, my apologies.

He speaks English, and he can talk in English with the people in the shelter, but I think he feels like he was ignored by those people.

Sure.

Yes.

I mean, did you, was, for people who could speak English less capable than you, was there any, did you see that, was there any, you know, language help there?

Anyone in the shelter that was helpful?

No, exactly.

What happened is every opportunity that one resident had problems with communication because he's Spanish speaking, they usually, can you help me please?

What he's saying, blah, blah, blah.

So I can help them to translate whatever they need to say at the moment.

So they're basically counting on you to help them.

Exactly.

Okay.

Exactly.

All right.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you all.

Thank you, council members.

Thank you, public advocate.