All too often, Disability Rights Florida is involved in individual complaints related to medical offices refusing to provide interpreters for patients who are deaf. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is very clear on the standards for effective communication. It is our hope by publishing information and resources that we can provide an education platform for individuals with deafness to understand their rights and for medical offices to understand their responsibilities. Please visit these documents for better understanding of reasonable accommodation under the ADA:
- Title III – Medical Professionals and the Rights of People who are Deaf and/or Hard of Hearing
- U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, fact sheet on Effective Communication
If you, or someone you know, is experiencing difficulties obtaining an interpreter for your medical appointments, please call us at 1.800.342.0823, via TDD 1.800.346.4127 or through our online intake system.
The following resources may also be helpful:
- Florida Coordinating Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing webpage on How to Find a Certified/Qualified interpreter in Florida
- ADA National Network fact sheet on tax incentives for businesses to defray costs of compliance with the ADA
- Florida Coordinating Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing 2023 Biennial Report
- How to File an Americans with Disabilities Act Complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice