When a local library started offering a virtual story time for children, a parent contacted the library to request a sign language interpreter for their one-year-old daughter, who is deaf. The library expressed concerns about the cost of hiring an interpreter, and thought the girl may be too young to benefit from the service. The parent contacted their Regional ADA Center to find out what the requirements were under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The ADA Specialist let the parent know that under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, entities have an obligation to ensure effective communication for individuals with disabilities. The goal of the library’s story time was to help develop language and literacy skills for young children, and providing an ASL interpreter would help support that goal.

With this information, the parent was able to advocate for their child’s rights under the ADA, and the library set up an interpreter and educated their staff on their obligations. Thanks to the ADA, the library now provides sign language interpreters for their virtual story times.