McALLEN, Texas — Doctors Hospital at Renaissance Ltd. (DHR) has agreed to a settlement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure it provides appropriate auxiliary aids and services to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing when providing medical services, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez.
The investigation began following a lawsuit a local deaf couple had filed, alleging DHR violated the ADA by failing to provide sign language interpretive services to ensure effective communication regarding their daughter’s treatment for cancer.
The deaf parents alleged that starting in 2011, they were unable to effectively communicate with DHR’s doctors and medical personnel at various times during their daughter’s treatment. The lawsuit further alleged the mother was forced to use a family member to translate what the doctors and medical personnel at DHR were saying.
“This settlement exemplifies our commitment to protect the rights of the hearing impaired and to ensure that they are able to communicate with health care professionals, especially when patients have critical and complex interactions with medical providers,” said Martinez.
The settlement agreement requires DHR to provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services, including qualified interpreters. DHR must also appoint an ADA administrator, provide training to the hospital’s staff on the requirements of the ADA and to adopt specific policies and procedures to ensure patients and companions who are deaf or hard of hearing promptly receive auxiliary aids and services.
The settlement agreement also provides for continued monitoring by the Southern District of Texas to ensure DHR is meeting its obligations under the ADA.
Defendant: Doctors Hospital at Renaissance Ltd.
Criminal Charges: Disability Discrimination
City and State: McAllen, Texas
Exact Date: N/A
Sentence or Outcome: Settlement
Dollar Amounts: N/A
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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