Our primary focus at V.O.I.C.E., Inc. is to secure equal access for the Deaf, which is why we advocate for effective communication with the use of appropriate auxiliary aids. We educate the public about the importance of effective communication through presentations, workshops and town hall meetings. We also educate the Deaf of their rights to equal access.

There are several laws that protect the right of deaf individuals to have equal access to the goods and services provided by public and private entities and businesses. These laws include the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Deaf Person’s Interpreters Act.

The Rights of the Deaf

The Deaf individual has the right to choose how they wish to communicate with businesses and their local community. This includes any entity that is open to the public, including doctors, lawyers, schools, public services, etc. The public entity must provide an accommodation that results in effective communication with the Deaf individual. The Deaf individual has the right to determine if the communication during the appointment was effective. If the Deaf individual determines the communication was ineffective, we recommend that the appointment be rescheduled and  V.O.I.C.E., Inc. be contacted for support.

How V.O.I.C.E. Can Advocate For The Deaf

VOICE, Inc. will advocate on the behalf of the Deaf individual. We will communicate with the business or person on behalf of the Deaf individual to ensure proper communication methods will be used and followed for the rescheduled meeting.

Effective Communication Auxiliary Aids

When communicating or meeting with a Deaf individual, there are several options a public entity can use to ensure effective communication, including sign language interpreters, video remote interpreting, and CART (computer-assisted real-time captioning).