HHS Office for Civil Rights Takes Action to Ensure Effective Communication for Those Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
November 9, 2022
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has entered into a Voluntary Resolution Agreement with CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs to ensure effective communication with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act of 2010 (Section 1557).
OCR has resources available to hospitals and health care providers to help ensure effective communication with their patients, including:
Auxiliary Aids and Services for Persons with Disabilities: Sample policy and procedures for providing effective communication
Chart for Sign Language Interpreters Chart – Sample notification list for providing information about staff interpreter and outsider interpreter services – PDF