NAD article

Communicating With Medical Personnel During Coronavirus

During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, more and more deaf, hard of hearing, and DeafBlind people are concerned about communicating with doctors, nurses, and others at the hospital. Many hospitals and medical facilities are changing their policies to create a safer environment which may impact your access — now, many hospitals will not allow in-person interpreters, family members, or visitors to come into the hospital. You may be alone for a long time, depending on how severe your case is. Doctors and nurses wear masks and may talk with you from behind a window or curtain. However, you still have the right to decide your care.A coalition of deaf and hard of hearing consumer advocacy organizations, deaf doctors, and other experts worked together to provide special guidelines for deaf, hard of hearing, and DeafBlind people and medical personnel to use during the coronavirus pandemic. Learn more: www.nad.org/2020/03/28/communicating-with-medical-personnel-during-coronavirus/

Posted by National Association of the Deaf – NAD on Saturday, March 28, 2020