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