Well I was browsing the internet for some information and I came across this thread.
So I'm going to start off by asking a question. A disability is a disability, correct? I'm asking because the probation department is giving me a really hard time about an interpreter. I'm not completely deaf, and I usually rely on spoken english, but my understanding of the ADA and Section 504 is that legally I am entitled to an interpreter. They already refused to give me one in court depsite my requests. The judge actually ordered it in court, but the next court date the prosecutor didn't have one and I waived that right for my next couple court dates because I didn't have a bond and I just wanted out of jail.
So now I'm on probation, and my PO is giving me a hard time. I'm supposed to take some classes and community services, all of which I want an interpreter for. When I requested this she replied :Well I think you can read lips well enough, Mr. Johnson" and further accused me of lying when I said I talked to the prosecutor and that he said they legally had to provide a 'terp.
It's to the point where I'm actually going to request one even for my monthly probation meetings on the grounds that there have already been several misunderstandings, obviously due to the fact that i'm such a great lip-reader according to my PO, and that I'm on the verge of being violated due to such misunderstandings and I just want to make sure that doesn't happen any further.
Edit: I forgot to mention that I have received a disability check, went to a deaf school, and received an interpreter for classes at Indiana State University.
