New translation devices at Colorado DMVs aim to help non-English speakers

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - In Colorado, each Department of the Motor Vehicles office now has Pocketalk Plus translators. They're small yet effective devices to help clerks and customers communicate effectively. With nearly 20 percent non-English speakers statewide, these devices come in handy.

The goal is to help a clerk at the DMV effectively communicate with residents.

"If you are speaking to me in a language other than English, it will translate that language into English and translate what I say in English back to the language the customer was speaking," said Derek Kuhn, with the office of the Department of Motor Vehicles in Colorado.

And if Spanish isn't your first language, don't worry. The device also interprets more than 80 languages.

This project started after an employee voiced concerns about non-English speaking customers. They were first piloted in December.

The devices also have a camera that allows them to scan and translate documents.

"I hope that these devices make it easier and more comfortable for people coming into the office," added Kuhn.

There are now at least two of these devices in every DMV location in colorado. The state invested a total of $18,954 to provide these devices.