Hospital getting interpreters for deaf patients

DETROIT — A suburban hospital will begin providing interpreters for deaf patients following a civil rights probe of its practices.

William Beaumont Hospital and the U.S. Attorney's Office in Detroit reached an agreement last month, the Detroit Free Press reports.

The settlement stemmed from allegations that the hospital violated the Americans with Disabilities Act.

A civil rights investigation of Beaumont allegedly found that it neglected to provide American Sign Language interpreters for complex medical appointments and procedures for such patients.

U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider said that the ADA safeguards deaf individuals' rights and helps them access medical services.

Beaumont denied any ADA violations and did not admit to wrongdoing as part of the settlement.