RichardDeaf
New Member
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2006
- Messages
- 707
- Reaction score
- 0
NAD and Law Firm File Complaint Against Kentucky State Courts for Failure to Provide Interpreters
Silver Spring, MD – The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and the law firm Freking & Betz have filed a complaint in federal court against the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the Administrative Office of the Courts alleging their failure to provide qualified sign language interpreters for Teri Mosier, a deaf attorney admitted to practice in Kentucky. The complaint also names as defendants Joseph Lambert in his official capacity as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Kentucky, and Jason Nemes in his official capacity as Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts. The complaint was filed in the United States District Court in Lexington, Kentucky.
Defendants’ policy states that they “must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act by providing qualified interpreters for the deaf and hard of hearing.” However, Defendants’ policy further states that they will “not provide interpreting services for attorneys.”
The complaint alleges that the Defendants’ refusal to provide qualified sign language interpreter services when Ms. Mosier represents clients in court proceedings violates Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The failure of the court to provide qualified interpreter services to ensure effective communication with Ms. Mosier effectively limits Ms. Mosier’s ability to practice law.
“State and local courts are required to provide accommodations, such as qualified sign language interpreters, when necessary to ensure effective communication with individuals, including attorneys, who are deaf or hard of hearing,” said Rosaline Crawford, Director of the NAD Law and Advocacy Center.
The complaint asks the United States District Court to declare that the Defendants’ policy of not providing qualified sign language interpreters for deaf attorneys violates the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act. The complaint further asks the court to award money damages to Ms. Mosier.
Silver Spring, MD – The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and the law firm Freking & Betz have filed a complaint in federal court against the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the Administrative Office of the Courts alleging their failure to provide qualified sign language interpreters for Teri Mosier, a deaf attorney admitted to practice in Kentucky. The complaint also names as defendants Joseph Lambert in his official capacity as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Kentucky, and Jason Nemes in his official capacity as Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts. The complaint was filed in the United States District Court in Lexington, Kentucky.
Defendants’ policy states that they “must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act by providing qualified interpreters for the deaf and hard of hearing.” However, Defendants’ policy further states that they will “not provide interpreting services for attorneys.”
The complaint alleges that the Defendants’ refusal to provide qualified sign language interpreter services when Ms. Mosier represents clients in court proceedings violates Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The failure of the court to provide qualified interpreter services to ensure effective communication with Ms. Mosier effectively limits Ms. Mosier’s ability to practice law.
“State and local courts are required to provide accommodations, such as qualified sign language interpreters, when necessary to ensure effective communication with individuals, including attorneys, who are deaf or hard of hearing,” said Rosaline Crawford, Director of the NAD Law and Advocacy Center.
The complaint asks the United States District Court to declare that the Defendants’ policy of not providing qualified sign language interpreters for deaf attorneys violates the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act. The complaint further asks the court to award money damages to Ms. Mosier.