Deaf Equality

Mission
To achieve equality for all Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Hard of Hearing, and Late Deafened people in the United States and worldwide. 

Vision
Achieving true equality for Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Hard of Hearing, and Late Deafened people from all communities requires ensuring full accommodated access to all aspects of life and dismantling oppressive attitudes and systems.


Services:

1. Litigation: 
The legal team at Deaf Equality has extensive experience in litigating for the rights of Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Hard of Hearing, and Late Deafened people in the United States. If you belong to one of these communities and are facing a legal issue, contact us! 

If your case is a good fit for us, we will represent you at no cost. If your case requires different expertise, we will provide you with a referral to other legal resources.  Watch the video below for an overview of our litigation services:

Types of Cases We Handle: 
Our litigation experience includes advocating under various federal laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, the Affordable Care Act, the Fair Housing Amendments Act, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

If your case is a good fit for us, we will represent you at no cost. If your case requires different expertise, we will provide you with a referral to other legal resources. We take on cases where you might have experienced:

• Denial of or ineffective interpreting services.
   
• Denial of or ineffective captioning access.
   
• Denial of admission to or removal from a school or program.
   
• Refusal of full and equal services.
   
• Job discrimination.
  
  2. Advocacy: 
  Every day, we all face frustration due to barriers and inaccessibility. As Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Hard of Hearing, and Late Deafened individuals, we’re constantly educating companies, schools, and nonprofits about making their programs and services accessible to us. It can be both discouraging and exhausting.
  
  We're Here to Help
  At Deaf Equality, we understand these challenges and are dedicated to providing the support, information, and resources you need to advocate for your rights. Our services include:
   
• Personalized Support: We collaborate with you to identify and address specific accessibility issues. Whether at work, school, or within the community, we are here to help you find legally compliant solutions and beyond.
   
• Information: We share educational materials about accessibility best practices, legal rights, and effective advocacy strategies. Our goal is to empower you with the knowledge needed to advocate for your rights.
   
• Resources: We offer a variety of tools and services designed to help individuals and organizations adopt accessible best practices, such as templates, checklists, and guidelines to ensure adherence to accessibility standards and laws.
  
  3. Referrals:
  At Deaf Equality, we understand that navigating the legal system can be challenging, especially for Deaf individuals. While we specialize in cases involving disability discrimination, we are committed to supporting you in finding the right legal representation for any legal issue. If you need assistance, contact us, and we will help connect you with a lawyer who has the right skills and who will provide communication access in your home area. This referral service is part of our broader mission to ensure equal access to justice for Deaf individuals.
  
  Connecting You with the Right Legal Expertise
  No matter what type of legal issue you’re facing—be it employment law, family law, civil rights, or other matters—our team is dedicated to helping you find the legal support you need. We work closely with a network of attorneys who are not only experienced in their respective fields but also committed to providing accessible services to the Deaf community. Our goal is to ensure that you are matched with a lawyer who understands your legal needs and can communicate effectively with you.
   
• Legal support for employment discrimination cases
   
• Access to legal expertise in criminal defense and immigration
   
• Guidance on education law and special needs accommodations
   
• Referrals for medical malpractice and personal injury cases
  
  4. Consulting
  Deaf Equality brings significant experience in consulting with major corporations, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies to maximize accessibility for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Late Deafened communities. Our consulting services are tailored to meet the specific needs of your organization, ensuring that your policies, services, and products are accessible to everyone. From working with ride-sharing companies to improve app usability for Deaf drivers to guiding advertising firms in creating inclusive content with the right framing and tone, we offer expert insights and solutions. We’ve also partnered with tech firms to vet new products for accessibility and collaborated with employers to enhance the hiring and retention of Deaf employees.
  
  Maximizing Accessibility in Corporations
  Our staff brings years of experience and in-depth knowledge of accessibility needs and solutions. With our guidance, you’ll be able to implement inclusive policies and practices that benefit both your organization and the Deaf community.
  
  We provide tailored consulting services, including:
   
• Advertising Companies: Our consulting ensures that commercials and marketing campaigns feature the right framing and tone to be accessible and respectful of Deaf culture.
   
• Technology Firms: We collaborate with tech companies to vet new products and services, ensuring they meet accessibility standards for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users.
   
• Workplace Accessibility: We assist employers in improving hiring practices, fostering retention, and ensuring that workplaces are
   
• Product Accessibility Audits: Evaluating your products or services to ensure they meet the accessibility needs of the Deaf community.
  
  
  5. Policy:
  At Deaf Equality, we believe that policy changes are essential to breaking down systemic barriers faced by the Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Hard of Hearing, and Late Deafened community. Our policy advocacy focuses on shaping legislation and regulations that promote accessibility, equity, and inclusion at every level of society. By working with lawmakers, organizations, and other advocates, we strive to ensure that Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Hard of Hearing, and Late Deafened individuals have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.
  
  Our Policy Focus Areas
  Deaf Equality is actively involved in influencing public policy to address the unique needs of Deaf individuals. Our work is centered around key areas that significantly impact the Deaf community:
   
• Accessibility Standards: Advocating for policies that ensure accessible communication technologies in public and private spaces.
   
• Education Reform: Promoting legislation that guarantees Deaf students have access to quality education, including language acquisition and the provision of accommodations like sign language interpreters and captioning services.
   
• Employment Rights: Ensuring that Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Hard of Hearing, and Late Deafened workers are treated fairly in the workplace and have access to communication access services.
   
• Healthcare Access: Pushing for policies that require healthcare providers to offer accessible services, including interpreters and captioning