SAN ANTONIO -- As part of San Antonio’s efforts to build a more equitable and engaged community, the city launched www.sanantonio.gov/español with key information relevant to the city’s Spanish-speaking community.
- Page releveant to information searched for most by Spanish-speaking residents
- Includes locating lost pet, contacting city council member, and more
- Live streams of City Council meetings
According to the San Antonio Government and Public Affairs Department, the page includes city services that Spanish-speaking residents search for the most according to web visitor data.
Previously, the only Spanish translation on the city’s website involved a Google plugin but the translation was not always accurate.
“We’ve stepped up our efforts in the past couple of years to address language barriers and increase civic participation among all residents,” Councilman Roberto Treviño said. “This landing page is the city’s digital information hub for our Spanish-speaking residents, where they’re able to connect to the city services they need most.”
The newly created “en español” landing page includes information on locating a lost pet, registering for a parks and recreation program, sign up for “Citizens To Be Heard”, and contacting a city council member.
In addition, this fiscal year San Antonio residents can watch City Council meetings live in Spanish from their TV sets by enabling Second Audio Programming (SAP) from their remote controls. This function is also available on the live webstream.
Spanish-language programming will also include a replay of that week’s City Council meetings. Airs will begin at 8 a.m. Fridays and 5 p.m. Saturdays.
San Antonio is home to 1.4 million residents with a 63 percent Latino population and a 36.2 percent Spanish-speaking population in the metropolitan area.