Doctor's Responsibility for Deaf Interpreter Services Under U.S. Law

Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, healthcare facilities that receive federal funding—including hospitals, clinics, and private physicians' offices—are required to provide auxiliary aids and services, such as qualified sign language interpreters, to patients with disabilities. This mandate ensures effective communication for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. Therefore, doctors and healthcare providers must arrange and cover the cost of interpreter services when necessary for patient care.