Hartford, CT, November 14, 2024 – Hartford HealthCare is partnering with the American School for the Deaf (ASD) to offer in-person American Sign Language services and other translation services for deaf and hard of hearing patients and their companions.

This partnership includes the addition of a full-time American Sign Language (ASL)/English medical interpreter to the Hartford HealthCare team and deepens the system’s commitment to the deaf and hard of hearing community.

“It is our privilege ― and responsibility ― to meet the communication needs of those who rely on us as part of our work to promote the health and healing of all,” says Ajay Kumar, MD, Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer, Hartford HealthCare. “Clear communication is essential for quality and safe care. This is certainly the case in our own healthcare experiences, and we know this is true for all our patients.”

Experienced and competent interpreters help Hartford HealthCare deliver on our promise to provide more accessible, excellent and equitable care by ensuring that all patients and their companions can understand their providers and are able to ask questions or request advice.

Two centuries of experience

The American School for the Deaf, founded in 1817, is a nationally renowned provider of a variety of educational programs and services for deaf and hard of hearing people from birth through adulthood. In response to the closure of the state’s interpreting services program in 2016, the West-Hartford based ASD launched an interpreting services program to meet the needs of Connecticut’s deaf, hard of hearing and DeafBlind communities.

“Communication barriers significantly limit access to quality healthcare for Connecticut’s hearing loss community,” explains ASD Executive Director Jeffrey Bravin. “ASD applauds Harford HealthCare for recognizing the need for improved communication access across their system and proactively strengthening and diversifying their services to meet the needs of all patients.”

Interpretation services will be facilitated through Hartford HealthCare’s language services vendor, Propio One, and can be in person or on video. Hartford HealthCare patients also can access assistive listening devices or qualified note-takers, depending on the method of communication they prefer.

“To provide more personalized, coordinated care, we are working with the American School for the Deaf to match patients with their preferred interpreter. This will allow for the best and most comfortable communication between a patient and their health-care providers,” says Elizabeth Begley, MS, RN, LNC, Civil Rights Coordinator and Senior Director for Customer and Patient Relations, Hartford HealthCare. “Effective communication is a legal requirement and the right thing to do.”