Legal Rights, Yes. Interpreter, No.
Wednesday September 19, 2007
ASL Music has a powerful vlog (sign language only) about her frustration in trying to get an interpreter when seeing a lawyer. The lawyer actually expected the State government to pay for one. Even though the Americans with Disablilities Act was enacted more than a decade ago, deaf and hard of hearing people are still struggling with trying to get interpreters for things like appointments with doctors and lawyers. What she says at the end expresses the frustration of the deaf with the denial of our legal right to an interpreter very clearly (paraphrased from the sign): We've got the ADA. How can we get our legal rights? How?
Related articles on About.com:
Legal Rights for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People
Student Paper: Legal Rights for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People
Comments
I am wondering what the law actually says. Isn’t the lawyer supposed to provide and pay for an interpreter? It is the same for a doctor’s office as well. I would think that a lawyer of all people would know what the law says and would know his obligations.
I think they know they are liable but won’t provide unless asked, or pressured. I work in a warehouse for a well known corp. I work with a man whom is deaf. He tries his best to make out what is being said. I am appalled! He doesn’t feel the need to ask for an interpreter. I have a deaf child.I feel I should stay out of it but watching my friend not stand up for his rights is not easy. He doesn’t want an interpreter. I don’t feel it is my responsiblity to interpret for him. I’m not even an adequete signer myself. It saddens me that my child might have these issues some day.
I think that a lot of deaf people are used to being on their own without having an interpreter,However if someone doesn’t make a stand for deaf people and their rights to remodify the disabilities act then we are going to have problems in the future.