Interpreting and Translating
If English is not your first language and you need help in talking/explaining or understanding a letter, leaflet or document etc. we may be able to help.
Further information on interpreting and translating is provided by Hertfordshire County Council.
Translated Documents
We currently have a number of documents translated into the 4 main languages in the District, Bengali, Urdu, Chinese and Punjabi. The documents available are:
- Council promises - the next 5 years
- A - Z of Council services and Councillors
- Useful contacts (found in the Housing welcome pack)
- Tenancy agreement
- Services for Older people
- Recycling information leaflet
- Advise on bulky waste removal
- Leaflet on Racial Harassment
Interpretation Service
We also have access to qualified Interpreters who provide both face to face and telephone interpretation in the main languages spoken in the area. These languages include Bengali, Urdu, Chinese and Punjabi. If you require access to this service, please get in touch with us.
Sign Language Interpreting Services
Under the Disability Discrimination Act, service providers must ensure that deaf people have equal access to information and services. This may mean providing appropriate communication support. Our main Council offices have access to hearing loops for those individuals who are hard of hearing.
We may be able to provide you with an interpreter if you are unable to access one for yourself. As a Deaf Service User we are able to help you if you communicate using:
- British Sign Language (BSL)
- Sign Supported English (SSE)
- Deaf/Blind
- Lipspeaker (hard of hearing)
We can interpret for you in a variety of settings, for example:
- housing applications
- council tax and benefit enquiries
- welfare rights services
- open Consultations meetings
What the service provides
The service provides confidential, professional and highly qualified interpretation between sign language and spoken English.
We aim to be as flexible and responsive as possible and will act as an aid to communication between Deaf and hearing people.
CACDP
Welwyn Hatfield Council is now a registered Assessment Centre with the CACDP. We now have a number of employees undertaking their British Sign Language Level 1 certificate through the CACDP. There is a continued commitment from Welwyn Hatfield Council to train employees - especially front line employees - so they are able to undertake basic dialogue with those who have hearing impairments or are profoundly deaf.