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.
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...