Advocating for Language Access for Survivors 
Deaf and Hard of Hearing (Deaf/HoH) 

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 
requires that organizations communicate 
effectively with people who are Deaf and 
Hard of Hearing (D/HoH). Communication 
must be equally effective with people who 
are Deaf/HoH and people who are not. 

Effective Communication means that an 
individual who is Deaf/HoH should be able 
to: Communicate with, receive information 
from and convey information to your agency 
in a way that is equal to people who are not 
Deaf/HoH. It is up to the Deaf/HoH person 
to choose how they’d like to communicate. 

If your client is denied language access 

or if it is significantly delayed: 

Number 1
Step1 
remind the agency about their 
legal obligation under the ADA 

Number 2
Step2 
ask to speak with a supervisor 

The survivor has the right to file a complaint 
against the agency in the event of a language 
access violation. 

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Useful phrases for language access advocacy 

The survivor needs a qualified sign 
language interpreter. 
My role as advocate is to provide advocacy 
services in sign language. It is not possible to 
perform effectively the roles of advocate and 
interpreter at the same time. 
The survivor needs a qualified interpreter 
to go over the written documents in sign 
language. 
Can you provide an estimate of when the 
survivor will receive services in their language? 
If not, can I speak with a supervisor. 


The survivor has the right to determine which 
method of communication is most effective. 
What you’re suggesting is not what she 
requested. 
The survivor’s child/family member/ friend 
should not interpret unless there are exigent 
circumstances. Please provide a qualified 
interpreter. 
The survivor looks confused and I believe she 
is not understanding the interpreter. Let’s 
check with her if there’s any communication 
barrier. We may need a different interpreter. 


This document was produced by the Vera 
Institute of Justice under award #2016-XVGV-
K015, awarded by the Office for Victims 
of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, 

U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, 

findings, and conclusions or recommendations 
expressed in this document are those of the 
contributors and do not necessarily represent 
the official position or policies of the U.S. 
Department of Justice.