Government Access

To refer others to this page, please use:
http://www.nad.org/government

The Government pages, under the Legal Rights section of the NAD website, include information about the rights of deaf or hard of hearing people to access and participate in programs and services of federal, state, and local governments.

Federal Government

Federal agencies, like the Social Security Administration, must comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Agency regulations generally require providing auxiliary aids and services (such as qualified interpreters) to ensure effective communication with deaf and hard of hearing people.

A policy adopted by the Judicial Conference of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts provides that all federal courts to provide sign language interpreters or other appropriate auxiliary aids or services to deaf and hard of hearing participants in court proceedings, at judiciary expense.

State and Local Governments

This memo provides general information about Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that applies to all types of state and local agencies, including courts, schools, social service agencies, legislatures, commissions and councils, recreational facilities, libraries, and state/county/city departments and agencies of all kinds. State or local agencies that receive federal financial assistance are also covered under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Other memos in this section describe specific state and local government activities, such as police and law enforcement, state and local courts, and prisons and jails.

State and local police and law enforcement agencies must ensure effective communication with deaf or hard of hearing people. This memo discusses Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and 911 and emergency telephone access.

Deaf or hard of hearing defendants, plaintiffs, witnesses, jurors, and members of the public, have a right to understand and be understood, and to participate in proceedings and activities conducted by all state and local courts. Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to any type of court proceeding in any type of state or local court, including criminal, civil, traffic, small claims, domestic relations, juvenile and other specialized courts.

Deaf or hard of hearing inmates in state and local prisons and jails have rights under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including the right to qualified interpreter services when necessary.