Know your communication rights
Americans with Disabilities Act
The ADA requires Title II entities, including state and local governments, and Title III entities, including businesses and nonprofit organizations that serve the public, to communicate effectively with people who have communication disabilities.
The goal is to ensure that communication with people with disabilities is equally effective as communication with people without disabilities.
I need a sign language interpreter on site because…
- I cannot see the screen.
- The screen is too small, and I cannot understand the interpreter.
- The machine keeps freezing or is blurry, and I cannot understand the interpreter.
- The virtual interpreter cannot hear you and therefore cannot interpret.
- The machine has disconnected too many times. It is not reliable.
- I cannot see both the screen and what is happening in the room.
- The staff does not know how to set up virtual interpreting.
Virtual interpreting
May not be appropriate for these patients
- Patients who cannot see or cannot be seen by the virtual screen because of mobility issues.
- Patients who are heavily intoxicated or in significant pain.
- Patients who are highly emotional or present with violent tendencies.
- Patients with cognitive limitations.
- Patients with a secondary disability, such as low vision.
- Patients who are in critical or serious condition.
- Children.
Virtual interpreting
May not be appropriate for these situations
- Highly sensitive communications, such as a diagnosis or discussion of a serious illness.
- An initial meeting with a specialist.
- Informed consent for tests and procedures.
- Eye exams.
- Mental health settings.
- Some occupational and physical therapy settings.
- Patient transport.
- Conversations with multiple speakers.
- Fast-paced interactions.
Federal standards
Virtual interpreting must meet all of these criteria
- Reliable real-time video and audio. A high-speed, wide-bandwidth connection must deliver full-motion, high-quality video without lags, blurry or grainy images, or pauses in communication.
- A clear, sufficiently large image. The screen must clearly display the interpreter’s face, arms, hands, and fingers, as well as the participating individual’s face, arms, hands, and fingers, regardless of body position.
- Clear audio. Voices must be transmitted audibly and without interference.
- Trained users. Staff must be adequately trained to set up and operate the technology quickly and efficiently.
