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  Medical facility settles claim alleging failure to provide effective communication services to deaf individuals
  

  Thursday, October 5, 2023

  
  

  HOUSTON
  – A local rehabilitation center has agreed to a settlement under the
  Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure it provides appropriate
  auxiliary aids and services to individuals who are deaf or hearing
  impaired when providing medical services, announced U.S. Attorney
  Alamdar S. Hamdani.

  
  

  In November 2021, authorities received a complaint alleging Park
  Manor of CyFair failed to provide effective communication to an
  individual who is deaf and uses American Sign Language (ASL) as his
  primary means of communication. Park Manor did not provide a qualified
  ASL interpreter, as the ADA defines, to communicate information related
  to his medical care, symptoms and treatment plan.

  
  

  Under the settlement agreement, Park Manor will revamp its training
  for new and existing employees regarding interpreter services, have
  specific and uniform criteria for determining when an interpreter is
  needed and what interpreter services are adequate. They will also keep
  detailed records of these decisions and accommodations.

  
  

  “My office is committed to protecting the rights of people who have
  not traditionally had a voice,” said Hamdani. “Having equal access to
  health care services - which includes the ability to effectively
  communicate with your health care provider - is a fundamental right. It
  must be accessible to all. If not, my office will investigate and bring
  enforcement actions against you to ensure compliance with the ADA.”

  
  

  Assistant U.S. Attorney Myra Siddiqui handled the matter.

  
  

  This case is a part of the Department of Justice’s Barrier-Free
  Health Care Initiative, which seeks to enforce the ADA’s prohibition of
  discrimination against individuals with disabilities by health care
  providers. Through the Barrier-Free Health Care Initiative, U.S.
  Attorneys’ offices across the nation and the Department of Justice -
  Civil Rights Division target their enforcement efforts on a critical
  area for individuals with disabilities - access to medical services and
  facilities. The Barrier-Free Health Care Initiative is a multi-phase
  initiative that includes effective communication for people who are deaf
  or have hearing loss, physical access to medical care for people with
  mobility disabilities and equal access to treatment for people who have
  HIV/AIDS.

  
  

  The Department of Justice has a number of publications available to assist entities to comply with the ADA, including a Business Brief on Communicating with People Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing in Hospital Settings. Visit the ADA for more information and to access these publications. ADA Complaints may be filed Department of Justice or within the Southern District of Texas.

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