New rights for deaf patients; new responsibilities for mental hospitals

In an era in which mental hospital administrators are confronted by shrinking budgets and cost containment strategies in order to survive, the recently enacted Americans with Disabilities Act requires their special attention. This article addresses the anticipated effect of the ADA upon inpatient psychiatric facilities. We assume that adminstrators should anticipate increased ligation and settlement costs associated with specialized services to deaf and other qualifying patients who seek equal access to psychiatric services provided in mental hospitals. It is our view that administrators can reduce the cost of implementing specialized services to deaf patient by developing a proactive plan of implementation. The authors analyze recent court consent decrees, and offer a three step plan for implementation.