Attorney General Michelle Henry announced settlements with two nonprofit companies that are leaders in providing interpretation services in the commonwealth, following complaints of ineffective communication at Pennsylvania hospitals. The settlements include enforceable assurances from Deaf-Hearing Communication Centre, Inc. (DHCC) and Center for Hearing and Deaf Services, Inc. (HDS) that re-commit the companies to assigning only qualified interpreters who can facilitate effective communication. Both DHCC and HDS deny conducting their businesses in a manner that violates any laws. The Office of Attorney General’s Civil Rights Enforcement Section investigated complaints from two individuals who reported subpar American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation services at hospitals in Philadelphia and Erie, which respectively contracted with DHCC and HDS. Under the settlement, DHCC also will make a $5,000 donation to the Pennsylvania Society for the Advancement of the Deaf.
