Connecticut Orthopedic Practice Makes Changes to Ensure Effective Communication with Persons with Disabilities

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that SPORTS MEDICINE & ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY, P.C. ("SMOS"), an orthopedic medical practice with offices in Manchester and Tolland, has entered into a settlement agreement under the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA").

The matter was initiated by a complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Justice by an individual who is deaf and speaks American Sign Language alleging that SMOS did not provide them with a qualified interpreter for American Sign Language at medical appointments. The government's investigation determined that SMOS did not provide an American Sign Language interpreter for three medical appointments, and that SMOS offered to communicate with the complainant by typing back and forth on a computer, which did not provide effective communication for a medical appointment.

Under the terms of the settlement agreement, SMOS has agreed not to discriminate based on disability in the future and will provide persons with disabilities with full and equal enjoyment of its services. As part of that obligation, SMOS will provide auxiliary aids and services, including American Sign Language interpreters, to ensure effective communication with its patients and their companions who have disabilities. SMOS has also agreed to provide reasonable modifications to policies and procedures for individuals with disabilities consistent with the ADA.

U.S. Attorney Avery noted that SMOS has worked cooperatively with the U.S. Attorney's Office to improve their ADA compliance without litigation.

The settlement agreement is effective for three years, and the U.S. Attorney's Office will monitor compliance during that time.

Any member of the public who wishes to file a complaint alleging that any place of public accommodation or public entity in Connecticut is not accessible to persons with disabilities may contact the U.S. Attorney's Office at 203-821-3700 and ask for the Civil Rights Intake Specialist.

Additional information about the ADA can be found at www.ada.gov, or by calling the Justice Department's toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 and (800) 514-0383 (TTY). More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt.

This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stewart C. Dearing.