Hartford Hospital Settles ADA Complaint: Feds

HARTFORD, CT — A Hartford institution has settled an Americans with Disabilities Act complaint, according to a statement from Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut. The Institute of Living at Hartford Hospital was accused of failing to provide a sign language interpreter for a deaf person who sought treatment.

The person, who was transferred from the emergency room to the institute, repeatedly requested a sign language interpreter for several days "to understand treatment options and to attend group therapy sessions, and to understand and sign documents provided to her during her stay," according to the statement.

She was not provided with an interpreter and was not able to participate in group therapy sessions to treat her depression and suicidal ideations. She also could not communicate with her treating psychiatrist and did not fully understand why she had been admitted into the hospital, according to the statement.

The settlement requires the institute "provide free of charge appropriate auxiliary aids and services, including qualified interpreters, at all of its patient facilities to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing whenever it is necessary to ensure effective communication for those individuals," the statement reads.

The institute will also provide ADA training to all staff members and provide $10,000 in compensation to the victim.

"This case demonstrates this office’s commitment to protecting the rights of those who are deaf or hard of hearing, and ensuring that these individuals are able to effectively communicate with health care professionals," Boyle said in a statement. "I thank the Institute of Living at Hartford Hospital for their cooperation during this investigation and for addressing these ADA issues without the need for litigation."