We have written about the positive changes made to improve the final OFCCP mandated disability self-identification form. The form is now available on OFCCP's website. The next logical question is will the OFCCP provide the form in additional languages before the March 24 effective date, or will contractors be allowed to translate the form themselves?
DCI staff translated the form to Spanish and it took about 3 hours. The lengthy process is attributed to the fact that most sentences translate incorrectly if a contractor uses an online translation service such as Google translate. This creates a huge concern since there will undoubtedly be different versions of the form as they are translated by contractors.
Here are some examples of the English to Spanish translation:
OFCCP Self ID Form:
- Because we do business with the government, we must reach out to, hire, and provide equal opportunity to qualified people with disabilities.
- Because a person may become disabled at any time, we are required to ask all of our employees to update their information every five years.
- Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities.
Online Translation Spanish:
- Porque hacer negocios con el gobierno, tenemos que llegar a, contratar y ofrecer igualdad de oportunidades a las personas con discapacidad calificadas.
- Debido a que una persona puede llegar a ser desactivada en cualquier momento, estamos obligados a pedir a todos nuestros empleados para actualizar su información cada cinco años.
- La ley federal requiere que los empleadores proporcionen ajustes razonables a las personas calificadas con discapacidades.
Correct Spanish Translation:
- Porque nosotros hacemos negocio con el gobierno federal, tenemos que alcanzar a, contratar, y ofrecer igualdad de oportunidades de empleo a personas qualificadas con discapacidades.
- Debido a que una persona puede llegar a ser discapacitado en cualquier momento, estamos obligados a pedir a todos nuestros empleados para actualizar su información cada cinco años.
- La ley federal requiere que los empleadores den acomodaciones razonables a las personas calificadas con discapacidades.
DCI will continue to monitor this and will keep the contractor community informed of any discussions with or decisions made by OFCCP on how to move forward with distributing this form in additional languages to applicants and employees on or after March 24, 2014. Stay tuned!
by Kristen Pryor, M.S., HR Analyst and Yesenia Avila, M.P.S., HR Analyst, DCI Consulting Group
