Improving accessibility in the public sector
Auspire is pleased to learn of the update to the Western Australian Language Services Policy 2020 by the McGowan Government to ensure language is not a barrier to accessing information and services in the WA public sector.
This policy ensures that services are responsive to Western Australians who may require language services to communicate effectively in Standard English, including those who are not able to communicate effectively in written and/or spoken Standard Australian English, including some Aboriginal people, some people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
The revised policy includes supporting resources, practical advice and case studies to make it easier for agencies to implement.
The policy statement is supplemented by comprehensive guidelines that include information about:
- how to assess the need for an interpreter
- how to engage interpreting services
- engaging translating services
- tertiary qualifications and National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) credentials
- quality control and assurance in interpreting and translating
- planning for the provision of language services
- data collection and reporting
- multilingual communication strategies.
The Language Services Policy 2020 can be downloaded here and supporting resources are available through the Office of Multicultural Interests website.