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The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice against DirectBuy of Metro Washington NW. DirectBuy is a membership-based sales establishment that claims to allow consumers to purchase brand-name merchandise at manufacturer-direct prices.

The complaint alleges that DirectBuy refused to provide qualified sign language interpreter services for a deaf couple who accepted DirectBuy's invitation to attend an informational Open House, in violation of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Instead, DirectBuy sent the couple a written document entitled "Tour Script for Hearing Impaired." The couple agreed to attend the Open House with the script and the opportunity to communicate with DirectBuy representatives without interpreter services. However, if that did not result in effective communication with DirectBuy representatives, the deaf couple wanted the chance to return for another Open House with qualified interpreter services. DirectBuy refused to modify its policy limiting attendance to only one Open House in order to allow the deaf couple a second chance to communicate effectively.

The complaint alleges further that DirectBuy retaliated against the couple for asserting their rights under the ADA by denying them any opportunity to attend any informational Open House at all.

"People who are deaf should have equal access to sales establishments and services," said Bobbie Beth Scoggins, NAD president. "It is hard to believe that we are still facing this kind of kind of discrimination. What's worse, is that deaf people are being retaliated against and denied any access when they assert their right to equal access."

The NAD requested that the U.S. Department of Justice investigate this complaint and order DirectBuy to cease its discriminatory practices and to promulgate written policies to ensure appropriate auxiliary aids and services, such as qualified interpreter services, are provided.

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Revision r1.1 - 22 Mar 2008 - 22:43 by EliMantel  Privacy Policy

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