NAD Files Complaint Against DirectBuy
A News Release from the National Association of the Deaf
Release Date: March 5, 2008
Contact: Anita B. Farb
Director, Communications and Operations
National Association of the Deaf
Email: http://www.nad.org/contactus
NAD Files Complaint Against DirectBuy
Silver Spring, MD – The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) filed
a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice against DirectBuy of
Metro Washington NW. DirectBuy is a membership-based sales
establishment that claims to allow consumers to purchase brand-name
merchandise at manufacturer-direct prices.
The complaint alleges that DirectBuy refused to provide qualified
sign language interpreter services for a deaf couple who accepted
DirectBuy’s invitation to attend an informational Open House, in
violation of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Instead, DirectBuy sent the couple a written document entitled “Tour
Script for Hearing Impaired.” The couple agreed to attend the Open
House with the script and the opportunity to communicate with
DirectBuy representatives without interpreter services. However, if
that did not result in effective communication with DirectBuy
representatives, the deaf couple wanted the chance to return for
another Open House with qualified interpreter services. DirectBuy
refused to modify its policy limiting attendance to only one Open
House in order to allow the deaf couple a second chance to
communicate effectively.
The complaint alleges further that DirectBuy retaliated against the
couple for asserting their rights under the ADA by denying them any
opportunity to attend any informational Open House at all.
“People who are deaf should have equal access to sales establishments
and services,” said Bobbie Beth Scoggins, NAD president. “It is hard
to believe that we are still facing this kind of kind of
discrimination. What’s worse, is that deaf people are being
retaliated against and denied any access when they assert their right
to equal access.”
The NAD requested that the U.S. Department of Justice investigate
this complaint and order DirectBuy to cease its discriminatory
practices and to promulgate written policies to ensure appropriate
auxiliary aids and services, such as qualified interpreter services,
are provided.
About the NAD
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) was established in 1880 by
deaf leaders who believed in the right of the American deaf community
to use sign language, to congregate on issues important to them, and
to have its interests represented at the national level. These
beliefs remain true to this day, with American Sign Language as a
core value. As a nonprofit federation, the mission of the NAD is to
preserve, protect, and promote the civil, human, and linguistic
rights of deaf Americans. The advocacy scope of the NAD is broad,
covering the breadth of a lifetime and impacting future generations
in the areas of early intervention, education, employment, health
care, technology, telecommunications, youth leadership, and more. For
more information, please visit http://www.nad.org
.
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