The Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law over 30 years ago and now gives deaf and hard-of-hearing people the same rights as everyone else. When President Bush signed this bill into law in 1990, it was supported by Republicans and Democrats alike. One of the main purposes of the ADA is to give deaf and hard-of-hearing people the same access to things as hearing people.

Before the ADA was made law, deaf people couldn’t access professional interpreters who could help them talk to their doctors and other important people. They had to rely on notepads or family members when communicating with others. Deaf people can now enjoy life in ways they never could before. The ADA has made this all possible by requiring television stations to use closed captioning, hospitals to use professional interpreters and more.

Ensures Communication

Today the ADA ensures deaf people can now interact in almost any setting. Before 1990, telephone companies weren’t required to offer their services to deaf people. They could offer services if they wanted to, but until 1990, they were not required to by federal law. The Americans with Disabilities Act made it so that the Federal Communications Commission put rules into place requiring telecommunication companies to provide services to those in the deaf community. 

While talking on a telephone might not seem like a big deal to most people, it is a huge deal to those in the deaf community. Using the telephone opened up new doors for the deaf community. They could now communicate with others, including doctors’ offices and other family members. 

Auxiliary Aids and Services

The ADA also mentions “auxiliary aids and services” when referencing talking to people who have trouble communicating. For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, this means providing a qualified notetaker or interpreter. It also means providing real-time captioning, written materials, or a printed script of a stock speech, like one given on a museum or historic house tour. 

A “qualified” interpreter is not just anybody who can sign. It is a person who can translate effectively, accurately, impartially, receptively, and expressively. These people can use any specialized vocabulary that may be needed.

Employment Opportunities

The ADA gives deaf people more chances and rights at work by requiring employers to provide acceptable accommodations. The ADA makes it illegal for employers and/or potential employers to treat deaf and hard-of-hearing people unfairly. The ADA requires employers to use translators and other tools to ensure a deaf person can perform their work duties the same as others.

Along with the help of the Equal Opportunity Commission, the ADA works to protect all workers and job seekers. The ADA states that any business with a minimum of 15 employees cannot ask you if you have any kind of hearing loss or if you are deaf. The law also states you are not required to disclose your hearing loss or deafness.

The law does state that potential employers can ask you questions only about your ability to perform a specific task related to the job you are applying for. For example, an employer can ask how well you can communicate. They can also ask if you can work in a noisy or fast-paced environment. All questions are limited strictly to being able to do the job required.

Suppose your deafness or hearing loss is noticeable, or you decide to tell a potential employer about it. In that case, they do have the right to ask if you require any kind of reasonable accommodation, which can include flashing alarm systems, computer software, and more.

Internet is Accessible

The ADA was signed into law just as the internet was starting to become popular. Because of this, it doesn’t say much about websites and their accessibility. Different judges have come to different conclusions about whether “places of public accommodation” include websites or apps. The U.S. Department of Justice has issued a statement stating that the ADA covers websites and apps, but as of today, they have not set any specific rules for businesses to follow.

Although no federal laws are put into place, many states have set up their own rules or accepted the World Wide Web Consortium’s web accessibility guidelines. Under these rules, people who have problems seeing should be able to see and read a website, which is accomplished through various tools offered on the website. These tools are designed to ensure all people can easily access information on various websites. For example, all website audio and video should include closed captioning or subtitles.

Accessibility at Movie Theaters and Other Venues

There are clear rules regarding movie theaters and how they must accommodate the deaf and hard of hearing. Theaters with seats for more than 50 people must offer services to help people who have trouble hearing, including closed captioning and other auxiliary devices.  

For people with trouble hearing, museums have the ability to use assistive listening systems. However, they are not required to offer closed captioning or a professional sign language interpreter. Some museums will offer those types of services, but they are not required to by law. Others will offer those services if you ask for them beforehand and are willing to pay a small fee.

Hospitals, concert/lecture halls, arenas, courtrooms, hotel meeting rooms, convention centers, and nursing homes are some other public places that must provide reasonable accommodations for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. An example of a reasonable accommodation is hearing loops, which have the ability to be connected to the coils in a hearing aid.

Conclusion

The Americans with Disabilities Act has made a difference in the lives of people with disabilities, but there is so much more to these communities than what they can and can’t do. The ADA has impacted the lives of people in the deaf community and allowed them to have a voice and be heard in places they were not before. Unspoken Language Services gives back to the deaf community by creating an accessible and inclusive environment by helping to bridge the communication gap by providing professional interpreting services. 

Thumbnail Photo Credit to: Photo by SaraSmo