The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan resolved its investigation of Dearborn Obstetrics and Gynecology, PC. The complainant, who is deaf and utilizes American Sign Language (ASL) as her primary means of communication, alleged that Dearborn Obstetrics failed to provide her with free ASL interpretation services and dismissed her as a patient due to her disability. The voluntary resolution agreement between the US Attorney’s Office, the US Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights, and Dearborn Obstetrics requires the doctor’s office to fully comply with the non-discrimination requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
The agreement emphasizes the practice’s commitment to ADA compliance going forward. Consistent with the ADA, the agreement requires Dearborn Obstetrics to provide ASL interpreters and other auxiliary aids and services free of charge when necessary. Under the agreement, Dearborn Obstetrics will adopt new ADA policies and practices, train its staff on those polices, report any future complaints from individuals who have disabilities to the US Attorney’s Office, and provide monetary compensation to the complainant.
