, associate professor of law in the College of Law, wrote a commentary for 黑料不打烊.com titled 鈥.鈥 Schwartz also serves as the director of the Disability Rights Clinic within the College of Law, which helps provide legal representation to individuals with disabilities and groups that represent the disabled community.
As a deaf lawyer himself, Schwartz understands the importance of appropriate communication forms when lawyers represent deaf clients. Schwartz writes that local attorney William Mattar鈥檚 commercials provide an outstanding example of doing the right thing, as the commercials are captioned despite not being legally required.
Schwartz explains that lawyers are required to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the New York State Human Rights Law, which both require the lawyer to pay for communication access, or specifically an interpreter, for their deaf clients. However, Schwartz says that lawyers often pass the system by using written notes with their clients, despite this not adequately helping to explain legal complexities.
Ultimately, Schwartz says that Mattar鈥檚 commercials provide the right message when it comes to legal representation for the deaf. 鈥淕o beyond compliance with the law. Why not treat the legal obligation to provide effective communication access (e.g., qualified sign language interpreters) as a floor, not a ceiling?鈥 writes Schwartz.
To read his essay in its entirety, visit .
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