Language services

Information about how the City ensures information and services are available to residents with limited English proficiency.

Language access services

The Neighborhood and Community Relations Department (NCR) manages the City's translation and interpreting services.

NCR plays a major role in ensuring that the City effectively communicates with all residents, maintaining several systems for engaging residents with limited English in Minneapolis's major foreign languages. One of the largest barriers to participation can be language. The NCR department's community specialists speak Spanish, Somali, Hmong and Lao.

City-designated neighborhood organizations can request the services by contacting their neighborhood specialist.

Language access plan

The language access plan is a guide for City staff to ensure City programs, services and activities are accessible to non-to-limited English speaking residents and people with disabilities requiring information in alternative languages and formats. It outlines City operating policies and procedures such as identifying primary languages, interpreting and translation tools, and delivery of programs and services in non-English languages.

The City is strongly committed to making City services and information about those services available to everyone, regardless of language barriers. This commitment stems from overall City goals of responsive government, community engagement, and customer service. As residents, workers or visitors who contribute to City life, people with limited English proficiency are entitled to fair and equal access to service.

Language lines

The Minneapolis language lines connect residents with 311 service through an interpreter at no charge to the caller. Speakers of Hmong, Somali and Spanish can use these phone numbers to find out information about topics such as utilities, road closures, making noise complaints or to ask general questions about City news and services.

Spanish Line: 612-673-2700
Somali Line: 612-673-3500
Hmong Line: 612-673-2800

 

 

Request accessible format

If you need help with this information, please email 311, or call 311 or 612-673-3000.

Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Contact us

Neighborhood & Community Relations

Email NCR

 

 

Phone

612-673-3737

Address

Crown Roller Mill
105 Fifth Ave., Room 425
Minneapolis, MN 55401
 

Office hours

8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Monday – Friday

See list of City holidays

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