Author |
Message |
Dogdoc
Member
09-29-2001
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 3:16 am
I don't think so Karuuna. The first time they called they didn't mention the owner was blind too.
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 4:16 am
Check with your local schools to see if there are any ADA interpreters who want to volunteer. They may get credit for doing so, or they may just get credit in life (karma). When we were working to defeat Prop 8 (and then after when we were protesting Prop 8) I found two ADA interpreters who would rotate during rallies and parades, and they didn't charge us. I would think the unconditional love an animal provides would be a comfort to someone who was deaf and blind. Watching a blind man care for his guide dog was a total experience (although I did laugh every time he had to clean up his dog's, er, um, messes). The guide dog didn't bark, so hearing wouldn't be an issue. The guide dog lets him know what he needs by head bumps. And mostly, he fed and let the dog out on a regular schedule, so the cues were more or less PET ME!
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Maplsyrp
Member
02-10-2009
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 5:54 am
I'm sorry Kar! Dogdoc I second what Costa said. When my son took sign language his teacher encourged them to volunteer and would sometimes give extra credit for doing so.
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Goddessatlaw
Member
07-19-2002
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 6:29 am
When communicating with someone who's deaf and blind, does the sign language tech sign into the palm of the person who is deaf and blind?
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Hermione69
Member
07-23-2002
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 6:52 am
At the "Silent Dinners" I sometimes go to, there is a deaf-blind teenager. We do communicate with him by signing into the palm of his hand. Dogdoc, if I lived closer, I'd be your translator. Good luck sorting that out. Yankee and Karuuna, I am sorry for your troubles.
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 6:57 am
I think how a deaf-blind person communicates depends on when he/she lost his sight and hearing. ASL isn't an easy language to use, and some people prefer to use tactile sign language, but spelling the words, not necessarily signing the words (for example, spelling d-o-g rather than signing the word for dog).
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Hermione69
Member
07-23-2002
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 7:57 am
Costacat, I still remember when you made a donation to Dogs for the Deaf in my name one holiday season. 
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Escapee
Member
06-15-2004
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 8:07 am
Maybe having a sign language book on hand for quick reference would be a good idea. I know this is awful and a horrible thing to do to someone, but do you have the right to refuse new clients? If you can't afford it you can't afford it.
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Hermione69
Member
07-23-2002
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 8:09 am
She cannot refuse a client because of a disability. That is discrimination.
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Happymom
Member
01-20-2003
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 8:18 am
Dogdoc...Our local high school requires mandatory community service hours to graduate. They used to have ASL classes, maybe they still do. It would be great if an area high school near you has the same and could help you comply with ADA 57.
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Escapee
Member
06-15-2004
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 8:18 am
I know that, but sometimes doctors offices aren't taking new patients and refer to others.
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 8:23 am
Not taking new patients (even if the patients aren't human) is a form of discrimination UNLESS YOU DECLINE ALL NEW PATIENTS. So that's not really an option, Escapee. And Hermi... hugs! 
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Hermione69
Member
07-23-2002
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 8:30 am
If ultimately the reason for not accepting the patient is because of the disability, no matter how it is officially cloaked, it is still discrimination. Someone can't refuse someone because they are "not taking new patients" unless they are really not taking new patients. Your suggestion, Escapee, is completely based on the person's disability - because of the cost of accommodating them. I'm sorry about the cost, I really am, but using that as an excuse would not be cool. I think other people have had good suggestions about alternatives. Community colleges also often offer ASL courses and students there might like the opportunity to practice. Also, as Costacat said, ASL is a tough language to learn, but learning only the ASL alphabet is not that hard. That might be a reasonable compromise as well. I'm sorry the state doesn't absorb the cost. It seems to me it should.
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Nyheat
Member
08-09-2006
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 8:37 am
I hate to sound overly pragmatic, but can't that be a tax write off? I know nothing about this. Business incurred expenses and all that.
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Mameblanche
Member
08-24-2002
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 8:44 am
ITA with NYH.
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Escapee
Member
06-15-2004
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 8:50 am
That's what I meant Costa, all new patients. I wasn't meaning only some. If it's causing a financial issue, but then I guess turning away business would be just as bad. Do they at least make an appointment? I know that some vets don't see anyone without an appointment so you can kind have a heads up before hand? That would grant you time to obtain an interpreter.
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 9:16 am
I'd think if you had special needs, when you called to make an appt you'd have to let them know about those needs. Unless it was an emergency (and in that case, you ought to bring your own interpreter along). At least here, there are a lot of people who could be tapped to volunteer on an irregular basis, given enough notice. Even if there are no ASL courses offered in your area, contacting your local disability center or ASL org could produce a few people who could be contacted to volunteer. A lot of people like animals and I'd think you might be people who'd be willing to help out (even if for no other reason than curiosity to see how a deaf-blind person adapts with a companion pet). And while the costs incurred may eventually be written off (partially) as a business expense, if volunteer help can't be located, that doesn't exactly help with the upfront costs associated with hiring an interpreter. Bottom line is that Title II (or was it III?) of the ADA specifies that no one can be denied accessibility aids and that no costs to the patient can be incurred.
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Kitt
Member
09-06-2000
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 9:26 am
Definitely the place to call, if the person can't bring their own interpreter, is the local charity relevant to the person's disability. I'm sure they will have a person willing and able to help, if not for free then for a small charitable donation, particularly as it includes animals.
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Holly
Member
07-22-2001
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 9:31 am
ADA also specifies that any necessary accomodations are to be within reason. If the visit costs the customer $45 and the interpreter costs the business $120, then that seems unreasonable. I cannot see this type of accommodation being forced on a 2-man business.
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Hermione69
Member
07-23-2002
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 9:34 am
In Virginia, there is a Department of Rehabilitative Services that will help. You might see if there is one where you live.
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 9:47 am
Nope, Holly. You can't equate the office visit cost with the cost of the interpreter. The ADA is very specific about that. It's based on the overall revenues of the office, not the individual patient fees. A $120 interpreter fee is not going to be considered hardship when looked at the annual revenues.
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Hermione69
Member
07-23-2002
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 9:55 am
Funny that we are having this conversation now. On Monday night, I was a featured speaker at a local Lions Club on what it is like to be deaf in the hearing world. I appreciate that the cost is a hardship, but I also feel badly for the client. Think of how much tougher life is for this person.
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Yesitsme
Member
08-24-2004
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 10:26 am
The patient isn't the person....it's the dog. That's why I don't get the need for ADA accommodation (especially if it is not a service animal.) And if they are deaf, but not blind, couldn't communication be done by writing notes? That being said, it is a nice thing for a business to do!
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Serate
Member
08-21-2001
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 10:34 am
Wouldn't the person bringing the dog's owner be able to translate?
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 10:34 am
A doctor can be pick and choose in the area of not taking new patients. A doctor can choose to not except Medicare patients or Medicaid. A doctor may choose to not accept patients with insurance from one company but accept it from others. A doctor may choose to not accept new patients without insurance period.
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