The reliance of some hospitals on video remote interpreting (VRI Technology) as a way to comply with the “reasonable accommodation” portion of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made it more difficult to access medical information, some deaf individuals say, according to an article in The Charlotte Observer.

Citing difficulties such as unreliable WiFi, small screens, and hard-to-move devices, several people quoted in the article said they had been told that in-person American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters were not always available. In some cases, interpreters could be scheduled ahead of time, but not necessarily in an emergency situation.

Jared Allebest, a deaf attorney, said that, “since the introduction of the technology, hospitals have been less willing to bring in in-person interpreters.” He has filed several lawsuits on behalf of deaf clients in Utah who were not offered ASL interpreters.

To read the story in its entirety, please click here.

Source: The Charlotte Observer