• Telephonic Interpretation Services for Staff

    The Boston Public School (BPS) District has entered into an agreement with LionBridge to provide telephonic (over-the-phone) interpretation services to schools and central office departments. This on-demand telephone interpreting system provides access to over 350 languages to support the communication of “Essential Information” to the parents/guardians of BPS students.  

    Please review the Telephonic Policy (linked below), which provides information on how to access the service along with usage parameters. In addition, please find additional resources to support the telephonic service offering.

    Note: Please be aware that this service is not a substitute for in-person and/or remote interpreters supporting IEP and other Special Education related meetings (e.g., evaluations, assessments, etc.) without prior written consent from the parent/guardian. See Consent form below!

  • When to Use Telephonic Interpretation - Usage Requirements

    • Telephonic Interpretation Services are particularly appropriate when a matter is routine and expected to last no more than 30 minutes.
    • When in-person interpretation is not available specifically for required Special Education meetings (i.e., IEP and evaluation) after attempts have been made to secure in-person interpretation through the district’s request system, telephonic usage for Special Education-related matters is only allowed when prior written consent of the parent has been received. Please have families complete the Consent for Telephonic Interpretation Services Form. 
    • When no trained professional interpreter is available in person.
    • When a written translation of information is inadequate or unavailable.
    • Undue delay will be avoided by using a remote interpreter rather than an on-site interpreter.
    • Instances where information using simple language communication tools (i.e., maps, visuals) will not adequately convey the message.
    • Appointments that don’t require substantial oral translation of documentation (i.e., the interpreter reading a document while interpreting it aloud).
    • When geographical location hampers access or in-person interpretation is unavailable for a specific language, this could be due to timing, low incidence language request, or in-person interpreter cancellation.

     

  • How to Access the Telephone Interpretation Option

    In-School Administrators must authorize all use of Telephonic Interpretation Services. 

    • Step #1: Call our toll-free phone number: 1-800-444-6627
    • Step #2: Enter your school's PIN number
    • Step #3: Select 1 for Special Education or 2 for General Education
    • Step #4: Choose your meeting type
      • Press 1 for an Assessment
      • Press 2 for an IEP
      • Press 3 for an Evaluation
      • Press 4 for a Parent-Staff Meeting
      • Press 5 for Other reasons
    • Step #5: Choose your language
      • Press 1 for Spanish
      • Press 2 for Haitian Creole
      • Press 3 for French
      • Press 4 for Cantonese
      • Press 5 for Portuguese
      • Press 6 for Vietnamese
      • Press 7 for Somali
      • Press 8 for Arabic
      • Press 9 for Mandarin
      • Press 0 For any other language needs or concerns. If no interpreter is available, the operator will inform you to call back later.