Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing have historically been subject to total exclusion from the mainstream of society due to communication barriers. Current federal law places a high burden on most public and private entities to provide auxiliary aides and services, including sign language interpreters, to those who need them. The Law Offices of Matthew W. Dietz, P.L. has represented individuals who are hearing impaired against police departments, educational institutions, hotels, doctors and hospitals. News Features:Mother-In-Law from Hell - Cynthia couldn't hear any of it. She's deaf. Though she has no history of mental illness and zero Florida criminal record, she would be forced to spend eight nights in the hospital against her will. "I was crying and screaming because I was afraid," she says. "I needed an interpreter, but they didn't seem to care." Cynthia and Erik recently sued the City of Hialeah and Palmetto General Hospital, where she was held. They contend police were abusive and then improperly kept her from her baby Orien after his birth — mostly because they were ignorant about the disability. The dispute not only tells the story of a dysfunctional family but also raises serious questions about how law enforcement is trained to treat the hearing impaired. "There's nothing more Twilight Zone than being taken to a mental institution when you're sane and not being able to communicate," says her lawyer, Matthew Dietz. "This is beyond hell."
For the entire article, click: Mother-in-Law from Hell, by Natalie O'Neil, Miami New Times, April 30, 2008.
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