Language Access Program

The King County Language Access Program provides guidance and tools to departments, agencies, residents and business as it pertains to accessible communications to individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) and barriers to communication so that all services, programs and activities are meaningfully accessible to all constituents.

King County Code addresses translation, interpretation, and language assistance (KCC 2.15.030).

You can learn more about King County Code 2.15 in this video on YouTube.

You can also review the 2010 King County Executive Order: Written Language Translation Process.

Languages spoken in King County

There are many languages spoken across King County besides English. To learn more about this you can:

• Check out our Tableau dashboard about spoken languages by area of King County
• Download this Microsoft Excel file about the top languages in King County with data from 2019 and 2021 (106 KB)
• Check out maps that show the percent of the population speaking a specific language at home across King County
  • Map of percent of population speaking Chinese at home - 2019 (778 KB)
  • Map of percent of population speaking Korean at home - 2019 (777 KB)
  • Map of percent of population speaking Russian at home - 2019 (777 KB)
  • Map of percent of population speaking Somali at home - 2019 (777 KB)
  • Map of percent of population speaking Spanish at home - 2019 (777 KB)
  • Map of percent of population speaking Vietnamese at home - 2019 (777 KB)
  • Maps for all top 6 languages spoken at home - 2019 (4.5 MB)

Language access resources for King County employees

• Language Access Requirements for King County agencies and departments (216 KB)
  
  • Large print: Language Access Requirements for King County agencies and departments (216 KB)
  • Infographic: What employees need to know about language access requirements (2.9 MB)

• Written Translation Manual: Requirements, Best Practices and Resources - 2021 (1.4 MB)

• "I Speak" Cards that members of the public can bring with them when seeking care or services. The cards identify the language they speak, and a “Know Your Rights” text to inform both them and providers regarding the use of interpreter services. 
  • "I Speak" cards in 33 languages (3.2 MB)
  • Blank "I Speak" card template for other languages (Microsoft Word; 70 KB)
• Translated notice for documents that information is available in other languages (Microsoft Word; 109 KB) 
  This document contains translations to many languages of this text:
  IMPORTANT! This document or application contains important information about your rights, responsibilities and/or benefits. It is crucial that you understand the information in this document and/or application. We will provide the information in your preferred language at no cost to you. If you need them, please contact us at (insert your department's point person’s email) or 206-XXX-XXXX.
  
  
• Translated notice of language assistance (Microsoft Word; 94 KB)
  This document contains translations to many languages of this text:
  Interpretation and translation services are available to you at no cost. If you need them, please contact us at (insert department email or point-persons email) or 206-XXX-XXXX, by: (insert date here: DD/MM). 

Translation and interpretation resources

Translation is the conversion of written communication from one language to another in a written format.

Interpretation is the oral conversion of communication of a spoken message from one language to another.

• Translator and Interpreter Contracts (approved vendors from Executive Services)
• District Court interpreter services
• Superior Court interpreter services