OLA honored by NLC

For immediate release: 3/19/26

Kansas City, Mo - Since its official launch in Fall of 2024, the Office of Language Access (OLA) has been an integral part of the City of Kansas City's efforts to improve communication and outreach to all communities. That work is now being honored by the National League of Cities (NLC).

The NLC awarded the City and OLA first place at the 2026 City Cultural Diversity Awards in the "Population of 500,001 and Above" category. These annual awards recognize local governments that demonstrate leadership in developing creative, effective programs that drive innovation and promote community belonging.

"We are ensuring that every resident, regardless of background or the language they speak, has an opportunity to engage with their local government," said City Manager Mario Vasquez. "For residents, there are every day, necessary interactions with the City, like contacting 311. The Office of Language Access is helping make those interactions barrier-free. The need for accessibility continues to grow as we welcome the world to visit, work, and call Kansas City home. I am proud of the accomplishment and recognition of this team."

In the time OLA has been operating, it has established a comprehensive citywide language access and accessibility system that ensures residents - regardless of the language they speak, their level of education, or their communication needs - can access and navigate City services. This includes:

• Real-time interpretation in hundreds of languages.
• Rewriting City web content in plain language and ensuring ADA accessibility in preparation for upcoming federal guidelines in 2026.
• Working across all City departments to improve communication access and service delivery through translation of key materials, plain language revisions, ADA-accessible communication, and interpretation services.
• Improving community engagement and awareness through initiatives like the Language Access Festival and Language Access Week, helping connect residents to City services and resources.
• Introducing new tools, including multilingual digital platforms and public feedback options, to make it easier for residents to interact with the City.

"We are proud to be building a city where communication is clear, inclusive, and accessible to all. Language access is about more than translation- it's about equity, trust, and making sure every resident can fully participate in matters that impact their city and community" said Language Access Manager Leidy Quitián Varón. "This award affirms that language access is an essential component of effective government"

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