Case Study Outcome
[Under the Americans with
Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, physicians
are obligated to provide reasonable auxiliary aids and services not just
to the patients with disabilities, but also to family members with
disabilities. In this case, the complexity of the issue seems to require
that the physician provide an interpreter for the deaf father-to-be, at
no cost to the couple.
A lawsuit was filed based on
these facts alleging discrimination in violation of the Americans with
Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the
United States Department of Justice intervened. The lawsuit ended when
all parties entered into a consent judgment under which the physician
agreed to pay the couple $25,000 and to adopt a policy for effective
communication. This policy provided that deaf patients and their
companions will be offered auxiliary aids and services at no charge, and
that all such patients will be given notice of the policy. The physician
also agreed to provide mandatory, in-service training to all of its
staff members to make sure that they are aware of, and complying with,
the new policy.]
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