tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522530.post1960871042562403520..comments2023-08-22T10:11:00.147-04:00Comments on DEAF IN THE CITY: JRShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02485752215710916988noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522530.post-75502604535541796932009-03-15T12:14:00.000-04:002009-03-15T12:14:00.000-04:00But nobody's painting it as worthless!However, it'...But nobody's painting it as worthless!<BR/><BR/>However, it's not useful for the group of people we're discussing. <BR/><BR/>If effective communication HASN'T been achieved, especially for mentally or physically ill Deaf people, we have a right to speak up - since those people often can't. We have to educate the hospital and explain why their effort may have been in good faith, but was completely useless. <BR/><BR/>For example. #1. Most of the arguments about this come from visually impaired Deaf people, and Deafblind or functionally Deafblind people. <BR/><BR/>2. Yes, we are arguing there is a true difference in service. Comprehension and ability to communicate is severely minimized. <BR/><BR/>3. I agree with you about this. TO have to do it SEVERAL TIMES during the SAME SESSION with the SAME DOCTOR is ridiculous, however.<BR/><BR/>4. But if the Dr. can't tell the terp sucked because they're so happy about the good faith effort, whose responsibility is it to evaluate the terp? The sick patient who doesn't know medical terminology? Sounds like a good way to let Deaf people get ripped off to me. <BR/><BR/>5. Yes, but with a live interpreter, it's more likely to get someone who knows the local dialect. <BR/><BR/>6. How can the patient make this assertation without an interpreter?<BR/><BR/>Whether you want to admit it or not, the interpreter has also gotten the role of communication support and advocate. It's clear that if the interpreter is not there, they cannot fulfill this role. This is fine if the patient is fully capable and able to advocate and evaluate for themsevles - but not if it is otherwise. That's the bottom line, and that's ALL we've been saying here.JRShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02485752215710916988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522530.post-11329353479737877162009-01-12T15:57:00.000-05:002009-01-12T15:57:00.000-05:00Let's take these objections in order.1. He didn't ...Let's take these objections in order.<BR/>1. He didn't understand a 3 dimensional language in 2 dimensions, does he use VRS? If so there is no difference. This is an old argument basically nullified to nothing due to the popularity and spead of VRS throughout the deaf community.<BR/><BR/>2. Didn't like the equipment, well my doctor uses a automatic blood pressure cuff, even though I know the hand pump cuff works better, but true difference in service? No. Same thing here. You can always suggest they look at better equipment to improve the quality of the video, but it could also be the internet is overloaded in the hospital or other things effecting picture quality.<BR/><BR/>3. The world of the personal interpreter is going by the wayside, interpreter shortages, VRS and other things make getting the same interpreter consistently difficult so the ability to communicate with a variety of interpreters is no different than having re-explain everything from the beginning with a new doctor, with a specialist or with a sub doctur or an emergency room doctor. It isn't the intepreters job to hold all that information.<BR/><BR/>4. The terp sucked, guess what that happens with onsite interpreters all the time, has nothing to do with VRI. That is just a problem with the interpreting.<BR/><BR/>5. See number 4,same issue. Same thing happens with VRS as well.<BR/><BR/>6. Be assertive and explain that you would like to see the doctor and the interpreter at the same time. The doctor's lack of manners has nothing to do with VRI either. Many doctors do very well with VRI and are very sensitive to the needs over this new medium.<BR/><BR/>In short, the ADA obligates the hospital to ensure effective<BR/>communication. That is all. You will not find language in the ADA<BR/>statute or regulations that say, "people who are deaf have the right to an interpreter", what you find is that businesses must "ensure effective communication." If effective communication can be achieved with the video interpreter the hospital has satisfied their job... if it cannot, then the hospital has not done their job. <BR/>Remember that refusal to try VRI or whatever the proposed accommodation is on the deaf person's part won't get you anything in a court of law as the hospital made a "good faith" effort and you were the one that refused to participate in the process.<BR/><BR/>I think that painting all VRI as worthless because of 1 or 2 bad experiences is ridiculous. It is a new way of providing service and it will improve just as TTYs did, just as VRS did, just as sidekicks did. Patience and being part of the improvement is the way to go, not bashing it since it isn't going away.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522530.post-3922693632377964252007-01-25T07:13:00.000-05:002007-01-25T07:13:00.000-05:00Thanks for blogging about these important issues. ...Thanks for blogging about these important issues. Here in the UK, they keep trying to foist computer generated 'avatars' on us for things like doctors appointments. <br /><br />One comment: <br /><br />'The friend understood nothing on the screen, and I wound up having to "deaf interpret" everything.'<br /><br />You mean 'relay interpret'? It's a growing field in the UK and many deaf are becoming professionally qualified relay interpreters, with full membership of the association of interpreters etc.<br /><br />Maybe it's cos we have more immigrants, with different sign backgrounds and/or low level sign skills. A hearing terp just can't understand them, but deafs can, hence the use of relay terping for medical consultations, advocacy etc.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522530.post-86011731199407944652007-01-21T10:23:00.000-05:002007-01-21T10:23:00.000-05:00Mishka, please email me the contact information. W...Mishka, please email me the contact information. We need this to stop the firing of an entire staff of interpreters-they have already fired the CDI in the hospital.JRShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02485752215710916988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522530.post-77108009366060414622007-01-21T10:18:00.000-05:002007-01-21T10:18:00.000-05:00Todd, in my landmark case, Dept of Justice had dee...Todd, in my landmark case, Dept of Justice had deemed that the VRI may not be the best appropriate choice for the deaf, contrary to the hospital's insistence it is. Some deaf people are too sick or too incapicated to use VRI. VRI cannot be taken to other rooms, like prep rooms, surgery rooms, CAT Scan rooms, etc, so it has its own limitations, unlike a live interpreter who can accompany the deaf person to different rooms<br /><br />mishkazenaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522530.post-3254434325121496872007-01-21T10:13:00.000-05:002007-01-21T10:13:00.000-05:00Joseph, sorry for the delay in responding. Since D...Joseph, sorry for the delay in responding. Since Dept of Justice is federal, their content decree in my landmark case applies to all states, including New York. This case is viewed as a model where all hospitals must follow. <br /><br />If you have problems with the hospital's complaince with the content decree, let me know and I can get you in contact with the Dept of Justice lawyers who handled my case. They are absolutely wonderful people! :)<br /><br />Breenie, the facilities also violate the law if they are using just one VRI. They must provide more VRI if it has been proved that one VRI isn't sufficient, according to ADA.<br /><br />mishkazenaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522530.post-90918307104681842742007-01-18T14:09:00.000-05:002007-01-18T14:09:00.000-05:00Thanks for pointing out the technical difficulties...Thanks for pointing out the technical difficulties in using VRI services in medical settings. However, I suspect that ever-advancing technology will eventually make VRI services easier and more comfortable to use.<br /><br />However, keep in mind that the ADA requires a 'floor' in accommodating individuals with disabilities. Hate to play a devil's advocate here, but where in the ADA does it allow a Deaf user to have the best possible accommodation?<br /><br />If someone was serious, this issue could be litigated in favor of public places, as they are only required to make an individualized inquiry and contract for a *reasonable* accommodation. That could very well turn up to be VRI offerings, not on-site ASL interpreting.<br /><br />That all said, I think VRI interpreting is the future; it allocates scarce resources for the Deaf community's benefit. The more companies that join the VRI trend, the more critical ASL interpreting services can be offered to the general public.Toddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00023173960211546192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522530.post-56702425470032637022007-01-18T07:53:00.000-05:002007-01-18T07:53:00.000-05:00there are parts of NYC population that isn't so "s...there are parts of NYC population that isn't so "small world" with interpreters and couldn't care less. deaf patients with multiple developmental delay and mental ill diagnoses will not benefit from VRI. especially those who are autistic and cannot connect with those on tv. <br /><br />most facilities have one tv (witin 9 floors) and it's a huge drag. one of my staff and consumers often has to wait three hours for a 20 minute appointment. because someone else is using the tv for something else!Kate O. Breenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12302011411495716591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522530.post-87777276176088003462007-01-17T15:18:00.000-05:002007-01-17T15:18:00.000-05:00Hi Belle - Thanks for your response! Do keep me po...Hi Belle - Thanks for your response! Do keep me posted - we can't erase our problems if we don't communicate our solutions! Grin. Yes, technically the tv screen is supposed to be "between the Deaf person and the hearing person." In reality this is bull - you have cables and wires and plugs behind the tv, you know? It's not realistic, especially in a medical setting (think about how drs offices are constructed.)<br /><br />I work in a mental health clinic and our philosophy is that interpreters are not conducive to a counselling/psychotherapy process because they come between the connection the client has with the therapist. New Yorkers are lucky: there have to be all of 8 or 9 counselors/therapists who can use ASL. Other places, not so fortunate. <br /><br />Hope to hear back from u soon -JRShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02485752215710916988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522530.post-86143496633487161562007-01-17T15:13:00.000-05:002007-01-17T15:13:00.000-05:00I am supposed to use VRI when I begin student teac...I am supposed to use VRI when I begin student teaching at a high school this semester. Technology and bureaucracy issues keep on popping up, however, and I already am delayed. It is a last resort because the area I live in has a severe shortage of terps. I am kind of excited to try out the new technology, though. <br /><br />Incidentally, in the examples I have watched of how VRI works, the screen is placed between the deaf person and the hearing person in such a way that the deaf person can view both the terp and the hearing person. I am not sure how that will work in my situation. If you like, I can keep you posted.<br /><br />There ARE medical situations when one would probably prefer a stranger. If you live in a small population, you might not want a terp you know. Think psychotherapy.<br /><br />BelleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522530.post-57556187597783572772007-01-17T10:49:00.000-05:002007-01-17T10:49:00.000-05:00Thank you for the link! It's information I can use...Thank you for the link! It's information I can use in my own advocacy. However, I don't know if a case tried in the DOJ in the state of Maryland is still valid in the state of New York. <br /><br />I asked the doctor if he would be willing to get health information from some television people didn't know how to set up. I think he took the point. Right now they are looking to go back to the live terp.... but I see cases like this every day. The problem is for Deaf people who are prisoners or in hospital, they don't have a lot of time or strength to go through these legal battles... sighJRShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02485752215710916988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522530.post-27394265323853116152007-01-17T10:15:00.000-05:002007-01-17T10:15:00.000-05:00Joe, What the hospital proposes to do counteracts ...Joe, What the hospital proposes to do counteracts the decison by Dept of Justice at my group civil right lawsuit against Laurel Regional Hospital. I suggest you to share this decree from DOJ(http://www.ada.gov/laurelco.htm) with the hospital lawyer and the deaf advocacy group. DOJ discovered that the VRI has limitations and doesn't migitate the disability of the person. Therefore Hospitals can no longer force VRI on deaf patients against their wishes legally.<br /><br />Please do let me know what happens next. :) <br /><br />mishkazenaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com