Know Your Rights
Your access is your right.
If you are Deaf or hard of hearing, you belong in the room, in the moment, never a lesser version of it. This page is here to make that simple: what you can expect, how to ask for it, and a message you can send in one tap.
The Basics
What you can expect, plainly.
Access is your right.
Under the ADA, businesses, venues, healthcare, government, and events must provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services when they are needed for effective communication. Access is not a favor, it is your right.
Required access, at no cost to you.
When the ADA requires access for effective communication, providing it is the organization's responsibility, and it generally may not charge you an extra fee for it. You are not billed for the interpreter you need to take part.
Ask as early as you can.
You can request an interpreter in advance. The earlier you ask, the more time the organization has to arrange it well, and last-minute or walk-in requests should still be addressed to the extent possible.
A qualified interpreter, when one is needed.
A qualified interpreter can interpret effectively, accurately, and impartially, using any specialized vocabulary the setting needs. You generally should not be required to rely on family, friends, or a child to interpret; the ADA allows only limited exceptions, such as certain emergencies or when you specifically request an accompanying adult and relying on that person is appropriate. Depending on the situation, another effective aid such as real-time captioning may fit instead.
Equal experience, not a summary.
Effective communication should give you timely access to the information and participation the moment requires, not leave you with a summary after everyone else has already experienced it.
“No” is not the end.
If you are told no, you still have options, and you are not alone. A calm, clear request opens most doors. Support is out there when a door stays closed.
Know the Difference
A performance is beautiful. Access is your right.
When an ASL performer signs a song on stage, moving with the show, it is powerful, and it belongs. We want that art to thrive. The only question is whether it reaches you, in every seat, the whole night, and whether the moments that are not part of the show reach you too. That is what access means, and access is your right.
An ASL performance
A performer faces the crowd and moves with the music, choreographed, expressive, unforgettable. It is art, and it deserves the spotlight. On stage alone it lives in one place, so not every seat can necessarily follow the full performance clearly throughout the event.
Your access
Access means you can follow everything that is said, from wherever you sit, start to finish, at no cost to you, and it holds for the announcements and the safety moments too. That is effective communication, and it is yours by right.
Here is how they come together. Carry the performer on a clear, continuous feed to screens across the room, and the art can reach every seat. That is the standard we are building.
Where the ASL performance does not provide effective communication for spoken announcements, safety information, other acts, or audience interaction, qualified interpreting or another effective method should be part of the access plan. Performance interpreting and communication access are two different crafts. We deliver both, each vetted, so the art never comes at the cost of the access.
What counts is communication that works for you. On-site interpreting and VRI are both legitimate forms of access. The right method depends on your communication preferences, the setting, the length and complexity of the interaction, movement in the space, and whether the technology can provide clear, reliable communication. The method should be chosen for effectiveness, not simply convenience or price. However you receive the moment, it is yours.
Request Access
Ask for an interpreter in one message.
Copy this, fill in the brackets, and send it to the venue, event, office, or clinic. It is warm, clear, and it puts the request on record. Use it for yourself, or send it for a Deaf or hard of hearing guest you are helping.
Hello, I am Deaf/hard of hearing and plan to attend [event name] on [date] at [venue]. I use American Sign Language and am requesting qualified ASL interpreters so I can participate effectively in the event. Please confirm what communication access will be provided, and connect me with the person coordinating accessibility if needed. I would prefer Lagundo ASL Services as the interpreting provider if that is an option. LAS can be reached at info@lagundoaslservices.com or (702) 469-4204. Thank you, [Your name] [Your phone or email]
Common Questions
The questions people ask most.
Do I have to pay for an ASL interpreter?
No. Under the ADA, providing effective communication is the organization's responsibility, at no cost to you. You are never charged for the sign language interpreter you need to take part.
Can a family member or friend interpret for me instead?
You generally should not be required to rely on family or friends for interpreting. Limited exceptions exist, but when professional interpreting is necessary for effective communication, the covered organization is responsible for arranging appropriate access. A qualified interpreter also protects accuracy and your privacy.
How do I request an ASL interpreter?
Ask in advance, in writing when you can. Tell the venue, event, office, or clinic your date and place, and request a qualified American Sign Language interpreter. You can copy a ready-to-send message on this page.
What if I am told no?
You still have options, and you are not alone. A calm, clear request opens most doors. If a door stays closed, you can learn about your rights and file a complaint through the ADA resources at ADA.gov. This is general guidance, not legal advice.
Is an ASL performance the same as having an interpreter?
No. An ASL performance on stage is art. Access means you can follow everything that is said, from any seat, start to finish, including the announcements and safety moments. That is effective communication, and it is your right.
Good To Know
General guidance, not legal advice.
This page shares general information to help you ask with confidence. It is not legal advice. For your specific situation, the ADA resources or an attorney can guide you further.
We Are Here
Planning the event? Let us handle the access.
If you run the venue, the event, or the organization, send us the details and we will help design the communication-access plan, recommend the right staffing, and coordinate the services within our scope, treated as hospitality. See what the ADA asks and the federal tax credit your business may be able to claim in The ADA, in Plain Sight.
Our Commitment
We hold ourselves to the same standard.
Access is not only something to ask for. See how our own website and app are built toward WCAG 2.2 AA, continually tested and improved, so everyone can use them.
Everyone deserves the whole moment.
Whether you are asking for yourself or building access for your guests, we would love to help. Reach us at info@lagundoaslservices.com or (702) 469-4204.
Request an InterpreterWant to know more about your rights? Our FAQ covers effective communication, interpreters, and much more.