National Association of the Deaf

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) has reached a settlement with a hospital to resolve a lawsuit that was brought on behalf of a deaf woman alleging discrimination based on disability.

The lawsuit alleged that, during her stay at the hospital, the deaf woman underwent tests and procedures, was prescribed medications, was treated by a variety of specialists, and experienced multiple potentially life-threatening incidents. It was also alleged that the deaf woman was excluded from participation in, was denied the benefits of, or was subjected to discrimination in the receipt of medical services by the hospital by reason of her disability. The hospital denied these allegations and contended that the patient was able to fully participate in her care and was provided an interpreter prior to a surgical procedure that was performed.

The parties wished to resolve this matter without further litigation and agreed that the settlement should not be construed as an admission of discrimination.

NAD Law and Advocacy Center Director Kelby Brick said, "Effective communication between a patient and hospital staff is integral to quality health care. Providing qualified interpreters for people whose primary mode of communication is sign language must become the norm, rather than the exception, in the delivery of health care services in America."