Accessing public government information can be more difficult for people who don’t speak English, which may hinder their ability to participate in programs that should be open to everyone.
To give your agency some ideas about how to remove language barriers for better inclusion, let’s take a look at some real examples of how CyraCom clients use translation to better include people who are limited-English proficient (LEP).
Why your government agency needs to translate key information
Language barriers often hinder LEP people’s ability to understand processes, read and complete official forms, or access crucial services. Government services that don’t provide inclusive language access fail citizens who may need their support most. Using translation services helps ensure your message gets out to everyone who may be interested, including people who are Deaf, hard of hearing, or have limited vision.
Examples of sharing critical information in multiple languages
Not sure how you can use translation services to extend your message to LEP audiences? A few translation services you may want to utilize include:

- Desktop publishing: Ensure your translated content, imagery, and graphics match the original and are formatted with expert guidance.
- Desktop publishing is highly recommended for languages that read right-to-left, such as Arabic. Without an expert’s guidance, formatting errors can make your translation unreadable to your target audience.
- Video services: Subtitles, captions, and voiceover (VO) can boost comprehension and make your videos more accessible to viewers who need additional language support.
- Website or software localization: Translate content and digital assets to encourage higher engagement from LEP audiences.
- Readability: Convert content into plain language to help readers better understand your message, instructions, or forms.
- eLearning localization: Translate educational materials into multiple languages to increase participation.
Here are a few examples from CyraCom’s translation clients:
Guide LEP people through government processes
Navigating the legal system can be confusing even if you speak English fluently. LEP people can have an even more challenging time figuring out the steps they need to take to follow government processes. CyraCom works with agencies that guide LEP clients to the resources they need to accomplish goals such as avoiding eviction, setting up payment plans, or signing up for government services. We often translate letters, forms, step-by-step instructions, and other helpful documents to support legal aid clients.

Robocall script translation and voiceover
If you share information about government programs via automated robocalls, consider using voiceover to include LEP audiences. CyraCom’s experienced project managers help our clients translate robocall scripts and hire voice talent to record messages. For example, we’ve promoted community resource assistance and food program information by recording messages in 20+ languages.
Meeting agenda and note translation

Public meetings held for citizens often provide meeting agendas and notes to participants. For example, we’ve helped city and county governments translate meeting documents into Spanish to be more inclusive of Hispanic and Latino attendees. If your agency hosts similar meetings, CyraCom accommodates fast turnaround times on written document translation.
Translated brochures and maps
LEP people deserve equal access to information provided by all government agencies and services, including parks and other public places of interest. CyraCom has experience translating informative brochures and maps for state parks into Spanish and other languages. Without these translated resources, LEP visitors would miss out on information about the trails, animals, and plants they encounter within the park, diminishing the value of their experience.
Have a translation project in mind? Get a free quote today!
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