Advocates with the International Institute of Buffalo are among a number of groups pushing for local governments to expand language access to services.

According to 2020 Census Bureau data, about 11% of Erie County residents speak a language other than English at home. That is why advocates want to see documents, forms and vital records translated into the top six languages spoken in the area.

So far, the push is supported by Buffalo Common Council members, who provide translation and interpretation, but want to see it made accessible citywide.

“Hopefully they can find a way to expedite a budget for that for our community. Even though some agencies already have some interpreters available, it's not enough,” said Faustina Palmatier, who was granted asylum from Burma and has been working with the International Institute of Buffalo for 14 years as an interpreter.

The Erie County Language Access Act is also on the table and would require translators and interpreters to be accounted for in the budget.