NAD Files DOJ Complaint against Behavioral Directions<\/p>\n
A News Release from the National Association of the Deaf
\nRelease Date: April 16, 2007<\/p>\n
Contact:
\nAnita B. Farb
\nDirector, Communications and Operations
\nNational Association of the Deaf
\nEmail: www.nad.org\/contactus<\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
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).<\/p>\n
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\u2019s treatment has been delayed for nearly a year. Behavioral Directions told the child\u2019s mother, before learning of the parents\u2019 deafness, that \u201chopefully within a few months you would see changes [in the child\u2019s condition].\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt 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\u2019s parents are deaf,\u201d said Marc Charmatz, Senior Attorney with the National Association of the Deaf, Law and Advocacy Center.<\/p>\n
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, \u201cNo family should have to go through what this family went through.\u201d<\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
About the NAD
\nThe 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.<\/p>\n
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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 — Silver Spring,…<\/p>\n