The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that it has resolved its investigation into complaints that Brattleboro Memorial Hospital (BMH) failed to effectively communicate with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing during medical visits. This agreement resolves allegations that BMH violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) during patient visits dating back to at least 2018. The United States received a complaint from an individual who alleged that BMH discriminated against him by failing to provide qualified sign language interpreters and appropriate auxiliary aids and services during visits to BMH’s emergency department. The individual also alleged that on several occasions, he was required to rely on his companion to assist him in communicating about his medical concerns. The United States’s investigation revealed additional individuals, whose primary means of communication is American Sign Language, with whom BMH similarly failed to ensure effective communication. It is well settled under the ADA that patients have the right to effective communication in hospitals and doctors’ offices.