ASL in Healthcare

[BrianASL]

I would like some feedback.

This is in regards to heathcare. I am hearing but becoming more of an activist with my g/f being deaf.

Does your doctor know sign or provide an interpreter?

How about hospitals? Do they, hospitals, have an interpreter on duty 24 hours a day? Emergency rooms?
In general, do you think that all health care providers should know some sign, or at least some medical sign? Do you think that hospitals, doctors offices do adequate enough for you as a deaf patient or do you think they can do more?

Just curious what you thought and feeling are on this.

 

[gnarlydorkette]

I had a recent doctor's appointment a week ago-- and it was the FIRST time they provided an interpreter without me constantly nagging them.

Most of ERs will summon an interpreter if they happen to have a Deaf person coming in. It is hard especially if it is 3am and every interp is asleep.

Many public hospitals are required to provide an ASL interpreter but most of the times I don't like to have an interp because of privacy (I don't like to have an interp on my side while the doctor is probing me!). Private practices are difficult since they don't really have the budget to cover interpreters (which is EXTREMELY expensive).

I think most hospitals/doctors should have some workshop to be more aware about Deafness in where to stand, and how to speak (rather than: "Tell her that she needs this...") and how to treat them with respect.

One of my doctors was so surprised that I, as a Deaf person, can live on my own and she kept asking if I go to an university or something like that. I felt she was rude for assuming that I am not intelligent as any average person.

So some type of awareness is direly in need for many doctors nation-wide.

 

[gnulinuxman]

Here are my demands after watching things that happened to deaflinuxgeek (Kim):

1. They need to have more people who know ASL than just interpreters. We once had a signing nurse and Kim got helped faster because the nurse could talk to her directly while she was waiting for the interpreter.

2. If a deaf person is having a heart attack, are they going to have to wait 5 extra hours for an interpreter before they get helped?! Seriously, we had to wait that long once because the interpreter didn't show up for a loooong time.

3. Kim has lost her interpreter multiple times because of her lipreading abilities. Another deaf person has come in and they give the interpreter to that person and leave Kim without one because of her lipreading ability. THIS PRACTICE NEEDS TO STOP. If she didn't need an interpreter, she would not have asked for one.

4. Audiologists need to stop looking at deafness as a "profound senorineural hearing impairment" that needs to be treated and realize that some people don't mind being deaf.

There are more, but that is my rant for now.

 

[Reba]

Here are my demands after watching things that happened to deaflinuxgeek (Kim):

...Kim has lost her interpreter multiple times because of her lipreading abilities. Another deaf person has come in and they give the interpreter to that person and leave Kim without one because of her lipreading ability. THIS PRACTICE NEEDS TO STOP. If she didn't need an interpreter, she would not have asked for one....

Can you explain this a little more? Was this at a hospital? A regular appointment or an emergency? Do you mean the second deaf person came into the area, while the terp was interpreting for Kim and the hearing person?

I don't know the whole story about what happened but I would like to make a couple of general points.

The terp works for whomever is paying the bill.

If the Deaf consumer hires and pays for the terp, then that terp sticks to that one consumer like white on rice.

If the hospital or doctor's office hires and pays for a terp to serve the hospital or doctor, not a specific patient, then the hospital can assign the terp to whomever they want.

If the hospital/doctor hire a terp for a specfic patient, then that terp should stay with that patient. If circumstances pop up that require another terp, then the doctor, Patient 1, Patient 2, and the terp (and terp's scheduler, if there is one) can negotiate a new arrangement but it must be agreed upon by all parties. If they can't agree, then the terp stays with the first patient.

If Kim is in a situation where she's using a terp, how does the hearing person know about her "lipreading ability"? If Kim is using a terp, she's using a terp and not lipreading the hearing person, right? So why would the hearing person assume Kim doesn't need a terp? I guess I'd need more details to understand the scenario.

 

[ideafspy]

I would like to input for people who is looking for job. I believe they, insurance company, should let Deaf employee to work as help another people to understand about insurance claim or any benefit why its change or why its not approve all those stuff. Cuz Hearing people might not able understand from what we are try to understand theirs policy.

So think that they should let Deaf worker to able do that job while Hearing need back-off because we need job too.

I would like some feedback.

This is in regards to heathcare. I am hearing but becoming more of an activist with my g/f being deaf.

Does your doctor know sign or provide an interpreter?

How about hospitals? Do they, hospitals, have an interpreter on duty 24 hours a day? Emergency rooms?
In general, do you think that all health care providers should know some sign, or at least some medical sign? Do you think that hospitals, doctors offices do adequate enough for you as a deaf patient or do you think they can do more?

Just curious what you thought and feeling are on this.

 

[howardwoodsjr]

Brian,

That's great that you want to support your g/f who is deaf. My boyfriend does not have a hearing disorder in which I have since birth.

However, any deaf and hoh persons should be able to request a ASL/Oral Interpreter depending on their usual means of communication.

I was denied effective communication here in FL and filed a complaint with the state and with Office of Civil Rights. The state of FL found the hospital in non-compliance, so I am waiting for the investigation by the OCR to be completed before filing in federal court.

If you have any other questions, let me know. I am not licensed or anything but have researched the internet often to get my information.

 

[lizzardhere]

Ok.. don't get mad at me asking this.. I'm just trying to understand as having just been thrust into the deaf community due to my job.

Ok.. you want more people to know ASL...ok I can see that.. Isn't sign language the 2nd largest language in the U.S?

Having an interpreter on duty 24 hours a day. No offense but my mother works at a doctors office and has worked in the healthcare industry since she was 19 she's now 45. She rarely ever see's deaf patients. Maybe once or twice every 3 to 6 months. So it would be a waste of the doctors office's money to keep an expensive interpreter there. They communicate with there deaf patients with pen and paper. And they have never had a problem, and if they want an interpreter for their appointment then of course they get them on. But they are a walk in clinic only. They rarely ever make appointments.

So I don't get the point of having an interpreter there all the time. I understand there is a communications barrier there, but most people will try to communicate with a deaf person.. but where do you find deaf people? You people rarely seem to come out of your homes! How can a community learn to communicate with you or even take an interest in ASL if we are rarely experiancing it. It seems like a waste.

 

[gnarlydorkette]

Ok.. don't get mad at me asking this.. I'm just trying to understand as having just been thrust into the deaf community due to my job.

Ok.. you want more people to know ASL...ok I can see that.. Isn't sign language the 2nd largest language in the U.S?

Having an interpreter on duty 24 hours a day. No offense but my mother works at a doctors office and has worked in the healthcare industry since she was 19 she's now 45. She rarely ever see's deaf patients. Maybe once or twice every 3 to 6 months. So it would be a waste of the doctors office's money to keep an expensive interpreter there. They communicate with there deaf patients with pen and paper. And they have never had a problem, and if they want an interpreter for their appointment then of course they get them on. But they are a walk in clinic only. They rarely ever make appointments.

So I don't get the point of having an interpreter there all the time. I understand there is a communications barrier there, but most people will try to communicate with a deaf person.. but where do you find deaf people? You people rarely seem to come out of your homes! How can a community learn to communicate with you or even take an interest in ASL if we are rarely experiancing it. It seems like a waste.

Where does your mother work?
In cities like LA, NYC, and Washington DC, there are a large population of Deaf people so the local hospitals do see a good number of deaf patients-- unlike a remote hospital in middle of nowhere in Idaho.
Think the big picture.


"How can a community learn to communicate with you or even take an interest in ASL if we are rarely experiancing it. It seems like a waste."
Maybe they are avoiding you. Maybe you are looking at wrong spots. Go to your city's local Deaf center and start from there. Don't lament-- you shouldn't expect us to come and run after you-- "oooo YOU ARE LEARNING ASL! WONDERFUL WONDERFUL! BE MY FRIEND!" ... puh-please.

 

[shel90]

Ok.. don't get mad at me asking this.. I'm just trying to understand as having just been thrust into the deaf community due to my job.

Ok.. you want more people to know ASL...ok I can see that.. Isn't sign language the 2nd largest language in the U.S?

Having an interpreter on duty 24 hours a day. No offense but my mother works at a doctors office and has worked in the healthcare industry since she was 19 she's now 45. She rarely ever see's deaf patients. Maybe once or twice every 3 to 6 months. So it would be a waste of the doctors office's money to keep an expensive interpreter there. They communicate with there deaf patients with pen and paper. And they have never had a problem, and if they want an interpreter for their appointment then of course they get them on. But they are a walk in clinic only. They rarely ever make appointments.

So I don't get the point of having an interpreter there all the time. I understand there is a communications barrier there, but most people will try to communicate with a deaf person.. but where do you find deaf people? You people rarely seem to come out of your homes! How can a community learn to communicate with you or even take an interest in ASL if we are rarely experiancing it. It seems like a waste.

Actually, even here in MD with a large deaf population, most dr's offices dont have a staff interpreter. There are interpreting agencies that dr's office have contracts with.

That comment "You people rarely seem to come out of your homes" seems kinda rude. How do u really know that? Maybe it is the town that u live in have little or no deaf people?

 

[spainmale]

i sometime go to ER and i asked for interp late night but there was no interp. so we ended up writing. They should bring interpeter 24/7 in case deaf peeps come in.. Iif you happen to see complaint or suggest box and write in the mail. They will get interpreter from on now.. If not, you guys have right to talk to hospital staffs because they are not happy. It so unfair. I heard all hospital requires that they bring interpters for deaf patients at anytimes..

 

[Silentwolfdog]

They can't provide sign language interpreter 24/7 because it is not cost effective. Deaf population relying on sign language is small in compared to people relying on spanish translators. What do you want interpreter to do while she/he wait for next deaf person coming in, which can be days or weeks. That's why my community hospital provided video interpreter, so that they can turn on TV and have interpreter ready for when client need one. That is better, though I have never seen it. I would think that is better, at least this way interpreter can be used by varied hospital, and hospital does not have to pay interpreter for doing nothing while waiting for next client.

 

[ITPjohn]

It's nothing new

It's been almost 20 years since ADA became law and hospitals not providing terps is a common complaint. The hospitals try to play ignorant or resist hiring terps for Deaf and Hoh patients.

NAD had a big convention in my hometown years ago and I was working for a hospital at the time. When I tried to advocate for the Deaf, I was told to sit down and shut up... or else.

I think that we'll see a black woman elected President before hospitals fully comply with ADA. Healthcare has more $$ and therefore more power than the Deaf community.

 

[kristakree]

I may not be in America, but Canadian health care is the pits.
Last summer, I had to have my gallbladder out. I was sleeping the day before I was SUPPOSED to have the surgery. Now, we all know you have to take out your HA/CIs to sleep... apparently not doctors. They were leaning over me going "Krista...Kriiiiista" :roll: My mom comes in and was like "What the hell are you doing?" "Oh trying to wake her up" "She won't wake up with you doing that!" I would have thought that it would have stated on my chart "HEARING IMPAIRED"!
Another time... One of my doctors(I have too many of them now) has a heavy Chinese accent, so I asked for a nurse, or even my mom, who drove me, to come in, he went "Why? This should be one on one." (My mom told me what he said) and I was really pissed at him for assuming that everyone can understand him... Gah.
Here's another lovely moment. I was having chest pains and I had lost my voice the night before, so My parents and I go into the ER and to reception. I start signing to the receptionest and she gives me the infamous "wtf" look. So obviously, health care professionals aren't really that well trained.
I think the Canadian Government passed a law last year that by July 2008, all government employees will need to know ASL. Not sure... Will look into it again.
Our health care still sucks
-Krista

EDIT:
This was in 2000...

On Monday, April 10, 2000, Liberal Disability Critic MPP Steve Peters took Premier Harris by surprise during Question Period. The day before, Sunday April 9, 2000, was a significant date because two and a half years before to the day, the Supreme Court of Canada had unanimously held in the Eldridge case that provincial governments had the constitutional obligation to ensure that deaf people using the health care system had sign language interpreters available to ensure effective communication with health care providers such as doctors.

In the two and a half years since, the Ontario Government has not brought itself into compliance with that decision under the supreme law of the land, the Charter of Rights. No new Government program has ever been announced to provide the ASL services which the Eldridge case has required.

Earlier this year, Citizenship Minister Helen Johns made it clear in her January 17, 2000 letter to Mr. Peters that this issue is still 'under study', rather than receiving real and meaningful action. That letter is set forth below.

To bring the Government's attention to this issue on Monday April 10, 2000, Mr. Peters asked the Premier about this sorry situation. To make the point, Mr. Peters first asked Premier his question in American Sign Language, rather than the spoken word. Below, is the exchange which occurred in the Legislature concerning this issue.

It is clear from this exchange that the Government still has no concrete action to comply with the Eldridge decision. This is especially significant since in the past, the Government has suggested that no new enforcement agency is needed under an ODA
because we already have access to the Charter of Rights and the Human Rights Code. Here is a clear case where even when persons with disabilities win a decisive victory under the Charter of Rights in the highest court in the land, the Government feels at
liberty to fail to comply with that decision.


Ontario Legislature Monday April 10, 2000 Question Period

SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS

Mr Steve Peters (Elgin-Middlesex-London): My question is for the Premier. (The member asked a question using American Sign Language.)

Mr Peters: Let me repeat that. Premier, why have you not followed through with the Supreme Court decision on the Eldridge case? Yesterday was the two-and-a-half-year anniversary of this ruling, which found that the failure to provide sign language in the delivery of health care services for the deaf violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Your government is obliged to ensure that this communication is available. Your government, though, has failed to abide by that ruling. Deaf persons in this province can no more communicate with their doctors and health care providers than could you or others understand what I had originally signed to you. Premier, when are you going to take action and stop putting the lives and the health of deaf persons in this province at risk?

Hon Michael D. Harris (Premier): I think the Minister of Health can respond to that.

Hon Elizabeth Witmer (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): As the member knows, we are moving forward to put in place the recommendations of the case in order to ensure that those people in this province who need that type of support will receive it.

Mr Peters: There's an extreme shortage of ASL interpreters in this province. As I travelled Ontario with the Ontarians with Disabilities Act tour, even in the Premier's own riding we could not find an ASL interpreter. We had to bring one in from Kingston and another in from Sudbury. I found that the issue of access to health care services was raised repeatedly by persons within the deaf community. The frustration that persons with disabilities feel as a result of your government's lack of action is overwhelming. The minister responsible for disabled issues assures me that the minister is working on a plan. It seems that everyone in this government is working on a plan. Give us a break. It has been two and a half years, Minister. When are you going to take action? When are you going to show some leadership and stop the discrimination against deaf persons in the health care system?

Hon Mrs Witmer: We certainly recognize the concerns that have been raised and we are
moving forward. Yes, we are developing a plan, and we do want to ensure that each individual in this province, no matter where they live, will have equal access to the health services that they deserve.




Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation
Minister
6th Floor
400 University Avenue
Toronto ON M7A 2R9
Tel.: (416) 325-6200
Fax: (416) 325-6195

January 17, 2000

Steve Peters, MPP
Elgin-Middlesex-London
Queen's Park
Room 331, Main Legislative Building
Toronto ON M7A 1A4

Dear Mr. Peters:

Thank you for your letter, with attached letters from four constituents, regarding interpretive services for the deaf, deafened and hard of hearing.

I received the identical four letters from Leona Dombrowsky, MPP, Hastings-Frontenac-Lennox & Addington, and responded to Ms. Dombrowsky.

Ontario has funded a program of sign language interpretation for many years. Currently, the Ministry of Community and Social Services provides about $1.35 million per year to Ontario Interpreter Services (OIS), operated by the Canadian Hearing Society.

The Government of Ontario is now examining the potential for expanding funding for interpreter services.

I am aware of the challenges facing deaf people who require interpreter services, especially in emergency health encounters.

I understand that staff at the Ministry of Health has been considering options with regard to interpreting services, and I believe a decision on the options will be made in the near future.

Thank you for bringing your concerns, and those of your constituents, to my attention.

Sincerely,

Helen Johns
Minister

C. Ministry of Health

 

[Kai Onca]

Ok.. don't get mad at me asking this.. I'm just trying to understand as having just been thrust into the deaf community due to my job.

Ok.. you want more people to know ASL...ok I can see that.. Isn't sign language the 2nd largest language in the U.S?

Having an interpreter on duty 24 hours a day. No offense but my mother works at a doctors office and has worked in the healthcare industry since she was 19 she's now 45. She rarely ever see's deaf patients. Maybe once or twice every 3 to 6 months. So it would be a waste of the doctors office's money to keep an expensive interpreter there. They communicate with there deaf patients with pen and paper. And they have never had a problem, and if they want an interpreter for their appointment then of course they get them on. But they are a walk in clinic only. They rarely ever make appointments.

1) hypocrital to assume that sign language is the 2nd largest language in the US then say that learning ASL is a waste?!?!?!- Dont you have people who speak spanish? Its required to get an interpreter for spanish-speaking people too and they're the largest group besides english nowadays.

2) writing on pen and paper- how many times have I heard of this excuse from doctors and their office....and why dont you try to go to a doctors appointment with important health issue and plug earwax in your ears and try to communicate with pen and paper and see how you feel.

3) I'm not sure about the number of deaf people but someone said it was 2.5% OF THE population- so therefore every 100 persons there might be 1-3 people- many people are not aware of patients being deaf because we can blend in as theres many different levels of hearing.

 

[Reba]

...They communicate with there deaf patients with pen and paper....

Pen and paper is not effective communication for all people, especially in a medical situation.

 

[Liebling:-)))]

Interesting thread here.

Accord German Health Policy law, they are obligate to cover the cost for Interpreter in every hospitials. (I mean, contract agreement with surgeons before surgery). We do not need Interpreter for birth to babies because it's too easy to see doctors/nurses's lipreading "push" "push" "push"... If there're serious result then alarm Interpreter.. .Interpreter must cancel their appointments for emegerncies.

 

[Liebling:-)))]

Having an interpreter on duty 24 hours a day. No offense but my mother works at a doctors office and has worked in the healthcare industry since she was 19 she's now 45. She rarely ever see's deaf patients. Maybe once or twice every 3 to 6 months. So it would be a waste of the doctors office's money to keep an expensive interpreter there.

Agree, it's waste of money to have Interpreters around in hosptiails or doctor office where they didn't receive deafies visitor frequently. If I have a surgery then I have to get Agency to order Interpreter for me and arrange the date appointment for me to meet doctor to discuss before sign the agreement contract.

Order Interpreter is a simple if you need an Interpreter to company you to hospitail.

Here in Germany, we (deafies) do not need Interpreter to company us to doctor office (not hospitail) if we have little problem like flu, sore throat, etc because it's very easy to deal our doctor ourselves. We thought it's waste of money for Health Insurance to pay Interpreter full time where they didn't receive frequent deafies in hospitail and visit doctor's office over a little thing. For surgery or emergencies is a huge different.

They communicate with there deaf patients with pen and paper. And they have never had a problem, and if they want an interpreter for their appointment then of course they get them on. But they are a walk in clinic only. They rarely ever make appointments.

Very true! but surgery is a different story.

So I don't get the point of having an interpreter there all the time.

me either... It's waste of money. We have full time Interpreters (from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm) around in 3 different Spa resort for the deafies, HOH, hearing and tinntins... If any emergencies, then call Interpreter at home.

I understand there is a communications barrier there, but most people will try to communicate with a deaf person.. but where do you find deaf people? You people rarely seem to come out of your homes! How can a community learn to communicate with you or even take an interest in ASL if we are rarely experiancing it. It seems like a waste.

Yes I'm agree...

I'm total surprised that Americans need Interpreters around for babies birth because it's really NOT necassary..... I learn for a first time from here at few years ago. Babies born to all deaf parents WITHOUT Interpreters around because it's very very very simple to deal with doctors and nurses on this. For contract agreement before have surgery is obligate to have interpreter around.

We really have no problem to deal with doctor when we have little problem (flu, sore throat, etc). We do not need Interpreter around for our little problem. We really have no problem to use paper and pen if the doctor don't understand us over little thing.... We can communicate with lipreading or writing a paper...

 

[Liebling:-)))]

1. They need to have more people who know ASL than just interpreters. We once had a signing nurse and Kim got helped faster because the nurse could talk to her directly while she was waiting for the interpreter.

I see no harm to use paper and pen to communicate with nurse or nurse write down to tell her that interpreter come within 5 or 10 minutes. Can she read nurse's writing?

2. If a deaf person is having a heart attack, are they going to have to wait 5 extra hours for an interpreter before they get helped?! Seriously, we had to wait that long once because the interpreter didn't show up for a loooong time.

Excuse me, please - this is a feeble excuse, I ever read! Many deaf people got heart attack and have no time to demand interpreter because they were busy to fight to save their life as the same as doctors are busy to save their life than talk interpreter to interpret for them. If you got a heart attack and demand interpreter then you will be dead already because you worry about interpreter than worry to save your risk life ... :roll: No time for interpreter but busy to worry to save my life. AFTER save deaf patients' life, then order Interpreter when deaf patients feel ready to talk...

SAVE MY RISK LIFE IS MY 1st NUMBER ONE before ORDER INTERPRETER!!!

3. Kim has lost her interpreter multiple times because of her lipreading abilities. Another deaf person has come in and they give the interpreter to that person and leave Kim without one because of her lipreading ability. THIS PRACTICE NEEDS TO STOP. If she didn't need an interpreter, she would not have asked for one.

Can Kim read? It's simple for doctors and nurses to write down a note telling her that she have to wait until interpreter come....

OR

This is simple to make an appointment with doctor for next appointment with Interpreter... The doctor will be happy to fix the appointment for you and order Interpreter. ?

4. Audiologists need to stop looking at deafness as a "profound senorineural hearing impairment" that needs to be treated and realize that some people don't mind being deaf.

I don't like anyone use their deafness as an excuse. They CAN stand their own feet and CAN cope with their own life... They CAN read and CAN communicate.... CAN wait patience until Interpreter come... or make an appointment for next appointment with Interpreter... It's really not hard than you thought. I often do that for years... It's not really hard.

There are more, but that is my rant for now.

Good Rant

Excuse me for open what I think of this post directly.

 

[Reba]

...We really have no problem to deal with doctor when we have little problem (flu, sore throat, etc). We do not need Interpreter around for our little problem. We really have no problem to use paper and pen if the doctor don't understand us over little thing.... We can communicate with lipreading or writing a paper...

Just to let you know, not all Deaf people can write notes or lipread, so even for "little" problems, they need interpreters. Sometimes they need Deaf or relay interpreters.

 

[Liebling:-)))]

Just to let you know, not all Deaf people can write notes or lipread, so even for "little" problems, they need interpreters. Sometimes they need Deaf or relay interpreters.

Yes I aware that some deaf and hearing people have the problem to learn how to write and read. I only want to tell you that it´s not just deaf but hearing as well.

If deaf and hearing people have low education and problem with writing and read skill then relay Social Workers, not interpreters. Interpreter´s job task to interpret in neutral way what the people want to say. (Not just deaf but hearing Foreigner as well who can´t speak our languages).