Hearing Disability: When an Interpreter is a Good Idea

If a hearing disabled individual needs an interpreter to fully interact and communicate with the Social Security it is almost always a good idea to ask to be provided with one.  The Social Security will provide free a sign language interpreter in order to properly conduct Social Security business of any kind with a hearing disabled program applicant.

A Qualified Interpreter for a Hearing Disabled Applicant for Benefits

The use of a qualified sign language interpreter ensures that a deaf Social Security applicant will receive an adequate and accurate translation of all of his spoken or signed communications concerning his disability claim within the application process and the disability determination and medical evaluation processes.  It is also important that a deaf applicant be afforded the same level of confidentiality and privacy afforded to non-disabled applicants.  The hearing impaired applicant should not be forced to be embarrassed by trying to provide confidential medical or personal application information through a third party employee of Social Security or a family member or friend because he can’t hear or understand Social Security’s questions concerning his application for benefits.  The hearing disabled applicant should be able to ask for and receive the services of a qualified sign language interpreter when responding to questions concerning his application and disability during any stage of the application process.  Qualified sign language interpreters may not disclose to others the contents of any communication or transaction in which they served as an interpreter.

Skills Required in a Qualified Sign Language Interpreter

• A qualified sign language interpreter has the following traits:
• Possesses the basic knowledge of sign language or finger spelling
• Is fluent in sign language and is able to process the spoken communication into proper signs and is able to observe someone else signing and to then translate that person's signs or finger spelled communications into spoken words.

Getting Legal Help

If you or a member of your family has a hearing disability and needed or needs a qualified sign language interpreter to effectively communicate in a confidential manner with the Social Security or the Supplemental Security Income program and has been refused timely access to the services of an interpreter it may be helpful to discuss the circumstances of the interpreter request with a disability lawyer.  An attorney can aid you in accessing the disability accommodations needed to submit a properly completed application for disability benefits and communicate the disability determination services evaluating your sensory disability claim.