White House Faces Lawsuit for Failing to Provide Sign Language Interpreters at Press Briefings

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) has filed a lawsuit against the White House, claiming a violation of rights for those who use American Sign Language (ASL). The lawsuit points out that after President Trump resumed office, ASL interpreters stopped appearing at press briefings and public events.

According to the NAD, they filed this legal action in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., seeking to compel the White House to provide ASL interpreters at these important communications. The organization argues that ASL is essential for many deaf individuals, as it has its own vocabulary and grammar different from English. They estimate that several hundred thousand people in the U.S. primarily communicate using ASL. Relying solely on closed captions, they argue, fails to meet the needs of those who may not understand or use English frequently.

The lawsuit cites violations of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which protects individuals with disabilities, alongside the First and Fifth Amendments. The NAD insists that federal law mandates equal access to government services, including press briefings.

Derrick Ford, one of the deaf individuals joining the lawsuit, emphasizes the importance of having access to information about vital issues like healthcare and economy. He often struggles with understanding English and closed captions. Similarly, Matthew Bonn, who attends Gallaudet University and is also part of the lawsuit, expresses his frustration over missing essential updates due to a lack of ASL interpretation.

The NAD has made several requests to the White House to reinstate ASL interpreters, including a formal letter sent to Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. They’ve pointed out that over 48 million Americans are deaf or hard of hearing, highlighting the need for better accessibility.

Bobbie Beth Scoggins, CEO of the NAD, underscores that deaf Americans deserve the same access to information as everyone else, not just through captions but also via ASL. This isn’t the first instance where the NAD has taken legal action for ASL rights; they previously sued the Trump administration in 2020 regarding ASL access during the COVID-19 pandemic and secured an order for interpreters at those briefings.

Under President Biden, ASL interpreters were included once again for press briefings, and the White House even hired full-time interpreters. However, the recent change in policy has raised alarms. On his first day back, President Trump signed an executive order eliminating various diversity and inclusion programs, which could impact accessibility efforts.

Such changes have sparked conversations on social media about the representative accessibility in government communications. It’s a topic that resonates with many, emphasizing the right to clear and effective communication for all citizens. As the lawsuit unfolds, it may shape accessibility standards for government briefings in the future.

For more detailed information, you can visit the NAD’s official statements here.

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