Vermont Business Magazine 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.
BMH has already taken steps to comply with its obligations under the ADA. And with the resolution agreement, BMH will timely provide qualified interpreters when necessary to ensure effective communication with patients and companions; create a grievance procedure; provide comprehensive training to its personnel on effective communication; and designate a program administrator who will coordinate access to auxiliary aids and services 24/7.
In a statement, BMH said: "BMH believes the agreement represents a positive step forward and aligns with the Hospital’s ongoing commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and high-quality care for all patients.
"The agreement reflects improvements BMH has implemented over the past several years to better serve patients who are deaf or hard of hearing. Throughout the DOJ’s review, BMH worked cooperatively and in good faith to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 while strengthening its communication practices.
"In 2023, BMH established a Deaf Services Task Force and began collaborating closely with Deaf Vermonters Advocacy Services to guide enhancements to hospital policies, procedures, staff education, and clinical practices. As part of this effort, representatives from Deaf Vermonters Advocacy Services and Vancro now participate in new employee orientation to provide direct education to all new BMH team members.
"In 2024, BMH expanded access to interpreter services by partnering with Vancro to implement an on-call, in-person interpreter program, while also ensuring 24/7 availability of American Sign Language interpreters through video remote interpreting services.
"BMH has also increased visibility and awareness of available communication services by posting signage throughout the hospital explaining how patients who are deaf or hard of hearing can request accommodations. Additionally, each clinical department has obtained visual language guides to further support effective communication.
"Brattleboro Memorial Hospital remains committed to providing compassionate, high-quality healthcare and to identifying and eliminating barriers that may limit access to safe, effective, and dignified care for patients with disabilities."
The resolution agreement also establishes a fund to compensate people who have been affected by BMH’s failure to provide qualified sign language interpreters or appropriate auxiliary aids and services from 2018 through 2025. Any person believed to be so aggrieved should contact the United States Attorney’s Office by filling out the civil rights complaint form available on our website or by emailing the office at:
[email protected]. To access the civil rights complaint form, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-vt/civil-rights-program.
Assistant United States Attorney Matthew J. Greer and former Assistant United States Attorney Zachary M. Dayno handled this matter for the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont. The resolution agreement is available at this link: Resolution Agreement
For more information on the ADA, visit http://www.ada.gov or call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA information line at (800) 514-0301 (voice) or (800) 514-0383 (TTY).
1.8.2026. Burlington, Vermont – Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont
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