State of New York Executive Chamber Proclamation
Whereas, New York State is home to the most linguistically diverse population in America, comprised of people who represent every country and culture in the world; New York State has pride in the rich multilingualism that is reflected among individuals and entire communities that speak more than 800 languages and dialects, including Indigenous and sign languages; and
Whereas, generations of immigrants have contributed in countless ways to our state and nation, and we continue to welcome new immigrants, recognizing that the ability to communicate is key to participating in civic, social, and economic life; three in ten households speak a language other than English, there are millions of New Yorkers whose primary language is not English and who have limited abilities to read, speak, and write, or understand English, making it difficult for them to access important programs and services; and
Whereas, to ensure that all New Yorkers can benefit from every service and resource our state has to offer, in April 2022, this administration expanded and codified New York State’s language access policy as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 Enacted Budget, requiring state agencies to provide interpretation services in any language and translate vital documents into the 12 most commonly spoken non-English languages; and
Whereas, the law also created the New York State Office of Language Access (OLA), launched in October of 2022, to oversee and provide guidance on the expanded statewide language access policy; OLA has since made important progress in removing language barriers and making critical services and resources more accessible to those who have come here to build a better life for themselves and their families; and
Whereas, as part of the New York State Office of General Services, OLA provides critical support, guidance, oversight and coordination to all state agencies covered by the language access law, working closely with those to provide direct services or benefits to New Yorkers to ensure they have the tools needed to offer interpretation services and translate vital agency documents; and
Whereas, in its first three and a half years, OLA has made significant progress in achieving its groundbreaking goals, having conducted a statewide multilingual listening tour, completed an age analysis report, developed the first American Sign Language video series of key documents, and created the Person-First and Identity-First Language Glossary to support the use of culturally sensitive terms applicable to marginalized or stereotyped communities; and
Whereas, New York State continues to develop and expand language access service for New Yorkers with Limited English Proficiency, reinforcing our state’s role as a national leader in ensuring language access as a fundamental civil right, with a commitment to advancing language justice in our nation by setting gold standards to inform and empower New Yorkers to exercise their language access rights; we highlight and celebrate our beautifully rich linguistic diversity, recognizing that our multiculturalism is the foundation upon which our state and nation are built;
Now, therefore, I, Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York, do hereby proclaim April 2026 as
Language Access Month
in the Empire State.
Given under my hand and the privy Seal of the State at the Capitol in the City of Albany this eighth day of April in the year two thousand twenty-six.
[State of New York. Executive Privy Seal]
Kathy Hochul
Governor
Secretary to the Governor
Karen Perichilli Keogh