Southern New Hampshire Medical Center settles ADA complaint over alleged failure to provide sign language interpreter

From The Union-Leader in N.H.:

CONCORD, N.H. – Southern New Hampshire Medical Center (SNHMC) will pay $5,000 to a hearing-impaired man to settle an allegation it violated the Americans with Disabilities Act in treating him.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, SNHMC entered into the settlement to resolve the allegation it failed to provide an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter for Kenton Hermans in May of 2008 when he sought treatment at the Nashua hospital.

Hermans, who communicates primarily via ASL, alleged that despite repeated requests for a sign language interpreter, hospital staff never provided him with one. He also alleged the hospital's staff tried repeatedly to persuade his companion, who is not a qualified interpreter, to serve in that role despite her being unwilling to do so. As a result, Hermans alleged he was not able to understand what was taking place during his hospital visit.

As part of the settlement, the hospital, which cooperated in the investigation, agreed to establish a program to ensure it provides effective communication to deaf and hard-of-hearing patients in the future.

The hospital did not admit any liability in settling the case and it cooperated in the investigation by the Disability Rights Section of the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice.