Public transparency and participation are improving with new technology. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that one in six Bellevue residents (over 23,000) speak English less than very well and two in five residents over five years of age speak a language other than English in the home.
For all city public meetings and events, residents may request language interpretation. Please request these services at least 48 hours or more in advance.
Interpretation headsets
Now available at municipal buildings and city public meetings and events are audio transceivers that relay the voice of a live interpreter from English to another commonly spoken language in Bellevue. The device and interpreter can be scheduled by request at least 48 hours in advance.
Direct-access toll free numbers
Residents who speak the following languages may now call directly to a toll-free number for assistance regarding any city service:
- español (Spanish) 1-844-590-8948
- 廣東話 (Cantonese) 1-844-537-0364
- 普通话 (Mandarin) 1-844-590-8945
- 한국어 (Korean) 1-833-923-3443
- ਪੰਜਾਬੀ (Punjabi) 1-844-590-8946
- Русский (Russian) 1-844-590-8947
- Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese) 1-833-923-2380
If you speak any languages not listed above, please call 425-452-6800 and request an interpreter.
Language Navigators
In-person interpreters for Spanish, Russian, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Hindi, Bengali and Urdu from the Eastside Cultural Navigator Program are available at Mini City Hall; the schedule can be found under "Multilingual Service Hours."