It Is The Law !
Sign language interpreters provide accessibility for Americans who are Deaf. Foreign language interpreters interpret for those who have not yet learned English. While learning English is a choice which would eliminate the need for an interpreter for foreign speaking individuals, Deaf individuals do not enjoy such options. Sign language interpreters are a vital and major part of most Deaf individual's lives.
The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) is a 1990 federal law that forbids discrimination against people who are disabled. Accessibility for a person in a wheel chair is widened doorways, lowered water fountains, and ramps. For a deaf person, accessibility is defined as effective communication.
A public accommodation cannot discriminate against persons with disabilities. A deaf person is entitled to the same quality of service that he/she would enjoy if he/she could hear.
Under Title III of the American's with Disabilities Act, a public accomodation is defined as a facility, operated by a private entity, whose operations affect commerce and fall into one of many categories such as, hospitals, doctor's offices, lawyers, schools, restaurants, bars, hotels, theaters, exibition halls, pharmacies, shoe repair shops and most places that provide services to the public.
Title I of the ADA deals with providing interpreters in the area of employment, while Title II deals with providing interpreters for state and local government agencies, programs, services, and activities.
Related Links
Americans With Disabilities Act
Home page for information about the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).
http://pr.mo.gov/
You may do a licensee search at the Missouri Division Of Professional Development.
http://www.adaproject.org/AboutUs.html
Click here for information about the ADA as it relates to circumstances you may encounter on a daily basis.
http://www.mcdhh.mo.gov/
The Missouri Commission For The Deaf And Hard OF Hearing
http://www.srskansas.org/kcdhh/
The Kansas Commission For The Deaf And Hard Of Hearing
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/enforce.htm
To read about ADA enforcement, penalties, and how to contact the ADA information line.
