How do I find an interpreter for upcoming dr. appt.?

J

JillyBean.MI

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who's responsible for taking care of that?
 
You need to tell your doctor's front office staff that it is their responsibility to make interpreter arrangements for the appointment. Give specific information (i.e., the names of the local companies who provide interpreting services and the companies' phone numbers) then the office desk will take care of it. You are not responsible for bringing one to the appointment. It's always on the office to make the accommodation.

I suggest that about two days before the appointment, you check with the office to make sure that interpreter arrangements have been made. I can't say how many times I've showed up to the appointment only to discover that the office staff failed to contact interpreting services for arrangements. Some doctors' offices are terrible about that.

Sent from my iPhone using AllDeaf. Please excuse any grammatical or spelling errors.
 
To note:...some Doctors will not hire an interpretor.....it's an on-going situation in my City, and it happened to me....
 
rockin'robin said:
To note:...some Doctors will not hire an interpretor.....it's an on-going situation in my City, and it happened to me....
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If the said doctors refuse to make interpreting arrangements or even reasonable accommodations then it is a violation of the ADA. We need to have equal accessibility, including healthcare.


Sent from my iPhone using AllDeaf. Please excuse any grammatical or spelling errors.
 
What is said...and actually done...2 different things....even in this century....
 
Mine showed up without my knowledge or permission. That was totally weird! I had been going to this doctor for over 10 years and suddenly one day, one showed up. I was like wtf? The receptionist said it was the law. I said it's only the law if I ask for it. After 10+ years... lol.

I have been doing fine without one and don't like having one in doctors appointments especially a routine one or follow up. Didn't have one for my 2 labor & deliveries. It was nothing special. So I told the interpreter she was not needed and went in myself. I came out, she still was sitting there waiting for me! Forgot what she said but she got paid anyway.

After that incident, for my next appt. I specified, "no interpreter!". Worked fine after that.

In my opinion, it's their responsibility to find an interpreter. I wouldn't have a clue where they can find one anyway.

My question now is, what about my kids' dr appointments. THAT is when I need an interpreter. Is that the law as well even if it's not for me?? Would like to know.
 
MangaReader said:
My question now is, what about my kids' dr appointments. THAT is when I need an interpreter. Is that the law as well even if it's not for me?? Would like to know.
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Yes, because you are the parent and you are responsible for your children's healthcare. With that said, you need to have full accessibility to make informed decisions. My best friend's deaf but he can hear pretty well with the hearing aid he uses in one ear and he's fine without an interpreter for his own appointments but when it comes to his daughter, he does have an interpreter there.
 
rockin'robin said:
What is said...and actually done...2 different things....even in this century....
Click to expand...

Yes, I am aware. I've had some doctors flat-out refuse to make reasonable accommodation arrangements, and I've had to educate them about my legal rights. To this day it amazes me how some healthcare and other professionals do not take the time to educate themselves on equal accessibility for those with disabilities. (eye roll)
 
sphenix said:
Yes, I am aware. I've had some doctors flat-out refuse to make reasonable accommodation arrangements, and I've had to educate them about my legal rights. To this day it amazes me how some healthcare and other professionals do not take the time to educate themselves on equal accessibility for those with disabilities. (eye roll)
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I had a doctor talk right into my HA as if was a telephone. I was having trouble understanding him b/c he had an accent. I what WTF ! I was not able to see his face so I could not even try to read his lips.
 
Reasonable accommodations doesn't always mean an interpreter, if the patient is able to read and write adequately in English.

Also if it is going to impose an undue hardship on the doctor's business as in a small practice, they are exempt from hiring an interpreter.

So if you want an interpreter going to a clinic affiliated with a large hospital is a good idea.
 
I had an interpreter show up for my mammogram appointment on a Saturday. I didn't request it because I don't know ASL. I felt really bad for her. My primary care doctor types everything out for me. At the end of the appointment she prints it out for me to take home.
 
Most times I suspect doctors offices/clinics are unaware of such a thing. The doctor I went to in SC they DID have a sign up stating that if you needed an interpreter (With a list of languages- including ASL) to ask for one and they'd provide it. I manage ok without an interpreter. I have one deaf friend who does not use hearing aids and is ASL (don't remember if she ever voiced though...) who does not use an interpreter when she goes to the doctor- she says she doesn't like to - I can see why.. medical issues can be- or IS extremely personal and should be between the patient and doctor only (and anyone else permitted by the patient- usually family). Having a third unrelated person there is uncomfortable- even though those interpreters are supposed to abide by privacy policies (HIPAA etc)... one can never be sure.. plus the deaf patient may run into the same interpreter elsewhere- high probability there. She says she writes notes back and forth with the docs she goes to- works out well for them.
 
My doctor lately has been trying to push an interpreter on me and I have no f'ing idea why. I'm having a procedure in a couple of months and I got tired of arguing with them, so I said fine, if you want to hire the interpreter then hire them. When I get there I'm just going to ask them to leave. Maybe then they will listen to me. I also don't like having a third party at my doctor's appointments, especially one I do not know.
 
Bottesini said:
Reasonable accommodations doesn't always mean an interpreter, if the patient is able to read and write adequately in English.

Also if it is going to impose an undue hardship on the doctor's business as in a small practice, they are exempt from hiring an interpreter.

So if you want an interpreter going to a clinic affiliated with a large hospital is a good idea.
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Right, Bottesini - that's the thing. I don't mind doing it all by paper and pen, as I would rather have my privacy with the doctor. As I know way too many ASL interpreters from elsewhere (i.e., work, school, other settings), it does get awkward for me when I have to discuss very personal details with the doctor in front of the interpreter. I had one medical specialist's office insist that I must have an ASL interpreter with me at the appointments otherwise the doctor will not see me. Mind you, this was the only one I could find in the entire county (San Joaquin Valley) for my specific health issues.

I agreed to allow that and gave the office phone numbers for interpreting services, did the reminder call and/or e-mail two days before the appointment to make sure the office had made interpreter arrangements (the staff would say "yes we already took care of it, an interpreter will be there"), then showed up to the office on the day of the appointment only to find out that the staff did NOT make interpreter arrangements!

I would then say, "Ok can the doctor at least see me and just do this on paper and pen?" only to be told, "No it is policy here that you must have an ASL interpreter. Let's reschedule." And I would end up having to wait another six weeks before the next appointment! Then by the time the re-scheduled appointment rolls around I would show up only to discover that the office failed yet again to make interpreting arrangements and would tell me, "Sorry let's re-schedule again."

That office insisted on an interpreter and yet was too damn incompetent to even make a simple call or e-mail for interpreting arrangements, even with my reminders. I didn't understand why the office refused to let me to do the visits on pen and paper, even after I insisted that I was perfectly competent in reading and writing English (including some medical terminology). I thought it was ridiculous. It was just a pure waste of my time, as I had to drive 45 minutes each way. Can you imagine my anger?

Needless to say I moved to Sacramento County after that. I swear, the hypocrisy with some of those doctors' offices drive me nuts...
 
Hey, I'm sure that DHHS in Grand Rapids, MI had to deal with this issue with other deaf clients in the past. Maybe ask them?
 
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