AMERICAN

November 22, 1993

REHABILITATION

CENTERS

Attn: John Wodatch

American Disability Act
Civil Rights Division
United States Department of Justice
P.O. Box 66738
Washington D.C. 20035-9998

Dear Sir:

Accept this letter as an expression of concern, placing of a formal complaint

and the need for me to receive further direction regarding my obligations and
responsibilities, if any are applicable.

I am a Physical Therapist and owner of a company providing rehabilitation

services by physician referral. My company is located in the State of
Missouri and the company employs approximately 30 individuals, one of whom is
deaf.

My therapist who is deaf had requested to travel out of state to an

educational seminar--in fact on two occasions. The first occasion was a total
disaster and the company sponsoring the seminar did not produce an
interpreter. The second seminar, again, was a disaster and frankly
embarrassing to both me and my employee. We requested an interpreter in
August, 1993 for a seminar to be held in October, 1993. The company failed to
provide the interpreter and failed to notify us of this until the evening
before. Travel had already been scheduled and my employee was on her way.
Obviously, she did not actually "go in" into the seminar as she could not read
lips for 16 hours and aspects of the seminar were with slides and in a dark
room. She requested the written material so she may at least read it and was
denied. It was not until a formal letter of complaint was made that the
written material was submitted. The company sponsoring the seminar did refund
the registration fee, but no other expenses.

My point of concern is now focused for future rather than the past. My
questions are:
1. who is responsible for the interpreter when out of state seminars are
scheduled?
2. what can be done to assure that my employee is not faced with another
situation such as these?
3. what responsibilities do I have as the employer to assure that out of
state functions such as seminars are handled properly for my staff? Currently,
on premises any formal meetings will have an interpreter for my employee and a
TDD on premises for my employee's use.
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Page Two
November 122, 1993

The two companies that have sponsored seminars and not produced
availability of interpreter
services for my staff are listed:

XX

(b)(6)

XX

Should you need further information from me, do not hesitate to call on
me directly. I may be reached at the following address and phone number:

Elena Wahbeh-Foster, PT MS
President
American Rehabilitation Centers, Inc.
6724 Troost Suite 310
Kansas City, Missouri 64131
(816) 361-3135

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. I look forward
to a response soon and if I may expedite the process for you in any way, do
not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Elena Wahbeh-Foster, PT, MS

President

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