Chandler is taking steps to bridge the language gap by approving a contract for multi-language translation services. The city has partnered with TranslateLive, LLC, for a one-year deal, offering on-demand translation in over 200 languages. These tools will be available both at the City of Chandler offices and in the field, with staff ready to assist as needed.
During a successful six-month pilot program that Chandler initiated last year, staff piloted instant translation devices that clocked in an impressive 560 interactions with residents, mostly in Spanish. Offering the talk-to-text option, they catered not only to speakers of different tongues but also to those with hearing disabilities, with English being the runner-up in usage – a detail underlined in the aforementioned City of Chandler statement.
Twenty desktop units will be placed in key locations like the City Clerk's Office, Chandler Municipal Court, and community libraries. These devices not only translate but also offer adjustable fonts and colors for those with vision impairments or color blindness. The city aims to break down both language and accessibility barriers, with plans to expand the use of the devices' ASL features, which were used only twice during the pilot, according to the press release.
The cash laid out for this isn't minor: Chandler is sinking up to $85,000 into this venture, with options to extend the contract annually. Funding encompasses not just the tech but also the support. And while the tools have their virtues, they're also about cold, hard data. According to the city's data during the pilot program, the average interaction with the devices was only four minutes, suggesting both efficiency and potential for wider use. This initiative was a combined effort between Chandler’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Division and the Information Technology Department.
