Because of my stepson's premature death (he was my husband's only child) it became necessary for us to go and make out new Wills.
Everyone (*not* excluding lawyers!) is kind of backwoods around here, and I keep busy setting everyone straight about how to treat a disabled person. Of course I strike out occasionally, and I just did again!
Imagine my surprise when we got our bill from our lawyer and I noticed a $40.00 fee for an ASL Interpreter. I had sat through several sessions WITHOUT an interpreter, but felt very uncomfortable so finally demanded one. And got docked for it!
Psssst. I won't complain that the lawyer's bill was over $3,000.00! We paid of course, but I made a note on the bill, "What happened to the ADA Law??"
What do lawyers do when they make mistakes?? Apolgize? Cop out? Send you a gift card? Or pretend that it didn't happen,(just because they are lawyers). :(
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To be honest with you, from what I've been seeing with other deaf people, I don't think this bill of interpreter was submitted in error. Too many lawyers feel this ADA bill don't apply to them.
ReplyDeleteIt comes down to understanding how the ADA Law works. My understanding is that an individual or agency who receives more than $2,500 a year in federal funds is obligated by the ADA Law to provide accessible services to all people.
ReplyDeleteLawyers are often in private practice. They or the law firms they work with may not receive any federal money. Therefore, they are no mandated learn more about how this law actually works.
I'm sorry for yours and your husband's loss in the family. My thoughts are with you.
~ LaRondaby the ADA Law to provide the access at their cost.
Some organizations who do receive federal money, such as nonprofits, also have a clause that allows them to get our of providing access (i.e.: interpreters) due to "undue hardships." This means they would not be able to provide the regular service if they had to also pay for the terps or CART or whatever.
It sucks, I know, but we need to all understand how this law works.
I'm sorry for your loss in the family. My thoughts are with you.
~ LaRonda
My comments got jumbled and garbled. Please edit if you can make sense of it.
ReplyDeleteSorry. Slip of the fingers...
~ LaRonda
I'm so sorry about your stepson's death. Lawyers can be real jerks. I love Seaside. I'm pretty sure the lawyer knows the law, he's just being nasty. It's good you reminded him what a jerk he is. I think I would pay everything minus the bill for the interpreter. See if he presses it. :-)
ReplyDeleteAlso-- I've been meaning to tell you I like the look of your shade garden and your hostas. I have a shade garden too. I should upload some pics of it sometime.
ReplyDelete$3,000??? And 40 bucks for ASL Interpreter? For a mere 30 bucks, I would go and buy Lawyer 2008 ...a computer software that has a collection of legal forms and other legal work. I would draw up a will on my own and have it notarized myself. All under fifty dollars.
ReplyDeleteDear Lantana,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I wish to express my
sympathies for the loss of your stepson.
I have learned that ADA has weakened for the last decade. Moreover, some doctors, hospitals,
businesses, agencies are not required to comply with ADA investigated by their lawyers.
The only way for people to complain would be to report to
Equal Rights Council who protects
the civil rights of deaf people.
From Lantana:
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for these responses. As you might expect, drawing up a new Will is not something you want to go into cold turkey. 'Particularly in a lawyers office where you might get ripped to shreds legally. From now on when I need an interpreter, I will just use one of my adult children! They live hours away, but the trip *can* be arranged.
Joseph I agree with you. (But) My husband and I have separate estates so it is complicated and has to be done right. I hope this is the last time we have to go through it!
So, what it comes down to, is that the ADA Law isn't worth the paper it is written on. It was a political thing, putting a feather in someone's cap.
~~Sigh ~~
Lantana
KW: I tried to find a way to contact you personally but got no where. Anyway, thank you for your kind, personal comments. I appreciate it so much. It is so nice to know that there are people out there who understand (and whom I have something in common with).
ReplyDeleteWarmly, Lantana
Lantana,
ReplyDeleteI still really confused about your situation. I am not familiar and learned from you and something it is not seem clearly about ADA did not apply to lawyers.
Mishkazen know more than me and KW is really sound sweet! I am really keep thought of your husband. I know your hands is full of things going on with wills situation.
Hope someone helping you really soon. Wow, ADA sometime confusion and not working. I am concerned about that.
Hugs & love
Deaf Pixie
For information about the ADA and lawyers, see www.nad.org/legalservices. If you or a lawyer has questions about how the ADA applies to lawyers, please contact the NAD Law and Advocacy Center at www.nad.org/contactus or call (301) 587-7730 (voice/TTY).
ReplyDeleteThankyou Rosaline, I am going to keep that information handy, trust me.
ReplyDeleteThe law office had no problem getting me an interpreter, they did the arranging themselves. But they charged me for it!
The interpreter that they called is an acquaintance of mine, I am going to shoot her an email to see what she has to say about the situation.
I think "Equal Access" is the proper term. I wonder who pays the Spanish Interpreters?
Lantana