SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Advocates gathered outside of Upstate University Hospital on Sunday to demand equal communication access for Deaf New Americans who use Nepali Sign Language and not American Sign Language.
The Deaf New American community has been in the Syracuse area since 2012, and advocates say that the hospital has repeatedly refused their requests for equal access.
“They are deaf but do not use American Sign Language. That is a unique challenge for the Deaf New American Community, so we want to make sure they have equitable access to their medical needs,” says Shanna Gibbs. “What’s been happening, Upstate Hospital has been providing American Sign Language interpreters, which is not accessible for the Deaf New Americans.”
