Health care accessibility took a significant leap forward with the announcement that Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center, LLC has agreed to enhance communication resources for deaf or hard of hearing individuals. This move comes as a result of a settlement secured by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada, aiming to ensure that these individuals receive the proper auxiliary aids and services, according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The agreement follows a distressing incident involving a deaf father, who was denied an American Sign Language interpreter while in the emergency room with his daughter at Sunrise Hospital. The situation lead to a complaint, triggering the investigation and subsequent action by the Justice Department. As stated by Acting United States Attorney Sigal Chattah, “Every individual deserves the right to communicate effectively with their medical team, especially when assisting their child in an emergency room.” Chattah’s office is showing a firm commitment to enforcing ADA standards through this agreement, as stated by the United States Attorney’s Office.
The settlement will potentially benefit a large number of individuals as it affects not just one location, but all 190 affiliated healthcare facilities across the United States. Per the terms of the settlement, Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center, LLC will be responsible for providing qualified in-person or video remote interpreting services and will conduct training sessions for all patient-facing staff to ensure ADA compliance. Additionally, they are required to periodically submit compliance reports and adjust policies and practices in line with ADA requirements, according to the United States Attorney’s Office…