Federal lawsuit filed for deaf residents in housing discrimination cases

A federal lawsuit has accused at least 14 assisted living and nursing home operators of unlawful discrimination against prospective deaf residents.

Over two years, testers were sent into various facilities to see if fair housing laws were being violated against deaf residents.

According to KTAR News 92.3 FM’s legal expert Monica Lindstrom, there is a track record of success in filing discrimination lawsuits on behalf of fair housing plaintiffs.

“There has been recent history of numerous lawsuits against housing facilities that have discriminated against those with disabilities and those lawsuits have been successful,” Lindstrom said.

The deaf community has rights when it comes to housing, according to Lindstrom.

“You can’t turn around and say ‘no’ just because they’re deaf and you can’t turn around and charge them the extra costs if they need an interpreter or someone to go with them to their medical appointments,” Lindstrom said.

According to the federal lawsuit, workers at nursing homes and assisted living facilities would not offer sign language interpreters in violation of federal fair housing laws.

Lindstrom said housing providers cannot require persons with hearing impairment to pay extra fees or deposits as a condition of receiving a deaf interpreter.

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