Title III prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities by all places of public accommodations. According to Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), places of public accommodation may need to provide a qualified sign language interpreter to ensure effective communication between deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind people and hearing people. In 2011, video remote interpreting was recognized by the Department of Justice as an acceptable means of providing a qualified interpreter.
Here is a link to lessons developed by the United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division on "Reaching Out to Customers with Disabilities." It provides some practical guidance for businesses on communicating with customers or patients who have disabilities in lesson 2. For additional information regarding the ADA and how it may apply to you, please visit the United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division website www.ada.gov or contact the ADA Information Line at 1-800-514-0301. |
Congress has arranged two types of tax incentive for businesses to assist in offsetting the costs of providing access as mandated by the ADA. Section 44 of the IRS Code allows a tax credit for small businesses and Section 190 of the IRS Code allows a tax deduction for all businesses.
The tax credit is available for businesses with annual revenues of $1,000,000 or less 30 of fewer full-time employees. The tax credit is for 50% of expenditures for providing access in a given year up to $10,250, which equates to a maximum tax credit of $5,000. This includes the cost of providing sign language interpreting services for customers. The tax deduction is available to all businesses with a maximum deduction of $15,000 annually. The following website provides more information on these tax incentives: http://www.ada.gov/reachingout/lesson81.htm. Otherwise you can contact the Department of Justice's ADA Information line at 1-800-514-0301.
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Speak directly to the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Deaf Blind individual
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HoursServices are Available
24 Hours/Day, 7 Days/Week For Emergency Services Leave a message & ISLE staff will call you back Office Staff Available: Mondays - Fridays 7:45 am - 5:00 pm |
TelephonePhone (Voice Only)
(808) 445-9125 Text Only
(808) 420-1071 Fax
(808) 940-0855 Videophone
(For Deaf Callers) (808) 791-0505 |
P.O. Box 1380
Kaneohe, HI 96744 |