NAD Files DOJ Complaint against Behavioral Directions
A News Release from the National Association of the Deaf
Release Date: April 16, 2007
Contact:
Anita B. Farb
Director, Communications and Operations
National Association of the Deaf
Email: www.nad.org/contactus
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Silver Spring, MD – The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) filed a complaint with the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) against Behavioral Directions, LLC, a Virginia company. Behavioral Directions provides behavioral counseling and psychological services to individuals with autism spectrum disorders, challenging behavior and related developmental disabilities. The complaint claims that Behavioral Directions refused to treat a hearing child because his parents are deaf, in violation of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The complaint recounts how Behavioral Directions put the child on a waiting list for services for several months; requested an initial meeting with his parents; and then refused to meet with the parents when the therapists learned that the parents are deaf. Behavioral Directions refused to consider any alternative means of communication with the parents and refused to treat the child. As a result, the child’s treatment has been delayed for nearly a year. Behavioral Directions told the child’s mother, before learning of the parents’ deafness, that “hopefully within a few months you would see changes [in the child’s condition].”
“It is unfathomable to think of a health care service provider who specializes in treating children would refuse to treat a hearing child, solely because the child’s parents are deaf,” said Marc Charmatz, Senior Attorney with the National Association of the Deaf, Law and Advocacy Center.
The complaint asks the Department of Justice to order Behavioral Directions to cease its discriminatory practices and to treat all people regardless of their disabilities. According to Charmatz, “No family should have to go through what this family went through.”
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About the NAD
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD), founded in 1880, safeguards the civil rights of deaf and hard of hearing Americans. As a national federation of state associations, individual members, and organizational and corporate affiliates, the advocacy work of the NAD encompasses a broad spectrum of areas including, but not limited to, accessibility, education, employment, healthcare, mental health, rehabilitation, technology, telecommunications, and transportation. The NAD website (http://www.nad.org) has a wealth of advocacy information and resources.
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