Recording of the Session:
(FYI – this is a one-hour video, so the transcript is long.)
English Transcript (Edited for clarity and accuracy):
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Hello, everyone. I’m going to start the information session. My name is Bobbi Beth Scoggins. I am your Interim CEO and I am glad that you’re able to join us this evening, to discuss these issues. I would like to introduce Brittany Shrader, our attorney, Director of Legal Services. Brittany will mention a few things, and then we will have our Q&A. Brittany?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: Hello, everyone. I’m excited to see so many people able to join this information session. Thank you so much for coming. It is so very important that we discuss these issues relating to communication access at the White House, and employee issues within the Federal Government. And like Bobbie Beth just mentioned, I’m Brittany. I am the Legal Director here at NAD.
You may already know that NAD formerly sued the White House, related to communication access for White House Briefings. Now, that lawsuit focused specifically on the Coronavirus Briefings, and that was back in 2020. We sued and won.
The judge ordered the White House to provide interpreters. You have to understand, the White House didn’t like that decision, so they appealed and appealed. And finally, when the new administration transitioned in, we were able to reach an agreement/settlement.
The new administration was willing to provide interpreters for any planned briefings from the President, the Vice President, the First Lady, the Vice President’s husband, and/or the White House Press Secretary.
Any planned briefing, you would see an interpreter and you did see that throughout the previous term, for the past four years.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Yes, and I enjoyed it. It was informative, and currently with the new administration, this has all been just cut. What can we do?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: Yes. Understand that now with the transition to the new Administration, sometimes you know… there are some hicccups or roadblocks. We need to see what their plan is — will they provide White House Briefing — interpreters for White House Briefings or will they deny that again? We suspect that their plan is not to provide interpreters. As we recently saw, with the Press Secretary’s briefing, there was no interpreter provided and we know that if there’s not an interpreter and they haven’t hired a new interpreter, then what will NAD do? So that’s a real concern. And it’s important for the Deaf community to be able to have communication access for important information from the White House. So, we are planning to contact the White House, first. that’s our first step. And ask, “What is your plan for communication access? Do you have a plan to provide an interpreter?” And so, I expect the response to be “No”. But maybe the response will be “Yes” and that would be great. If not, then that will help us to really understand clearly what their intentions are.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Yes, will you start having a conversation with the White House about accessibility for Press Briefings? Have you contacted them? Or will you?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: We will soon. Our current team is drafting a letter to send to the White House. Now, we haven’t sent it yet, but we will.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Oh, okay.
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: But we will. And understand, we, as NAD, we don’t want to be the only ones that are sending letters. We really need the support of the community.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Yes, the community send this in. So you want them to send you letters?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: Yes. We are going to draft this letter, we’re going to send it to the White House and at the same time we are going the draft a letter for the community. So that you can copy/paste, sign it and send it to the White House yourselves. So that way they are not only receiving one letter from the NAD, but we hope they are getting a hundred, a thousand letters from the community. “We need interpreter. We need communication access. What is your plan? What does your plan look like?” So that’s our first step. Now, understand, we would love for the judge to order them to provide interpreters right now. However, we do need to give them some time. If we rush into court without giving them time, the judge may say “I don’t know what their plan is. So, maybe they will provide an interpreter. I don’t feel comfortable forcing them to provide an interpreter.”
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: We can’t second guess them. Maybe they will say, “Yes, I will do it, yes, I will do it. Because many things are happening at the same time, that are changing their positions. And what they decided yesterday, may not be true for tomorrow. And so we are kind of playing chess, moving the pieces.
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: So, yes, it feels like we need to do something right now, but at the same time, we also need to be patient. We need to collect evidence to show, sure, they say they will provide interpreters, but here are all of these examples where they had a press conference but did not provide an interpreter. Collect evidence to show that we contacted them about this issue and they didn’t respond; they have no plan in place.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Yes, we have collected the data on accessibility information, and that data, and all of you have sent us, really helps us. But we need more information, more surveys. And so as you’re watching and you may not know about these surveys, please respond and that will really help us; right? Am I right?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: Yes! If you want and you’re motivated to get involved with potential litigation related to the White House’s failure to provide interpreters, then please fill out this form and that will help us to be able to collect the information. So, we can make a decision on, you know, what we can do next, as a team. And perhaps sue the White House again to force them to provide us a Sign Language interpreter.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Yes. I’m curious… I know there are two things, the White House Briefings and the other one was related to
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: Oh, yes, the Federal Government. Yes, that. Yes, we do understand recently the President made a lot of — he signed a lot of Executive Orders, related to employees of the Federal Government and this has had a huge impact. And it’s impacting Federal employees, especially the deaf and hard of hearing community.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Very confusing. I know even in my circle, we are very confused about what we’re going to do. And so what is the first step? How can we have direct information?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: Yes, this issue is a little bit more complicated; right? The White House not having an interpreter, you know, that’s a little easier, that’s direct. But with the work issues, it’s a lot more complicated. Because the Federal Government, each agency is established differently. So, the accessibility is dependent on the specific agency. Some agencies provide their interpreting services are through DEIA offices, specifically through that office. So that means that now with the DEIA employees on leave, that means that there is no one there to manage getting interpreters, to coordinate.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Coordinating interpreting services. Because if they’re making these cuts, then that means that you know, these orders are resolving the current services. So, what can Federal employees do next in terms of getting services that they need?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: Yes. Really, it’s important that you document everything. You want to make sure that, for example, if you’re going to a meeting and you need an interpreter for a meeting, contact whoever you need to contact to request interpreter services. And you document that. Keep your emails. Keep your requests. Keep their response.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Keep all — document all communication.
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: Yes, everything. If your request/communication happens in-person, face time face, that’s fine, but then go right back to your desk and send an e-mail, a follow-up e-mail. Why? Documentation. It provides evidence that you did make a request. Your email can simply say “Just to confirm, I requested an interpreter and you said no.” So again, document everything. So again, if you — let’s say your agency right now is in disarray and you are not sure who to contact, you need to ask questions “Who is the new interpreter contact?” You know, keep that communication. All those e-mails, with your questions and their responses. If they say there is no one to contact, document it.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Document, document, document!
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: Yes, it’s important. And another thing is it’s important that you need to file complaints with the EEO, their office. You have 45 days after any discrimination —
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: 45? Is it 45 days?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: Yes, you have to do it quickly, in order to file your complaint with the EEO, their office.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Oh, okay.
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: So that preserves your right to pursue legal action down the road. If you want to have the option to pursue any legal action, then it’s very important that you contact the EEO’s office and file that complaint, related to no communication access, or maybe you felt that: “I was discriminated in my workplace.”
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Okay. Wow! I understand there are many things that are going on. I know many of us, we’ve been talking about you know, if I’m an employee for — I’m not sure which agency, but there’s a lot of communication regarding what information they are getting and what little information they’re getting, and “Where and how and what should I do? Where should I go?”
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: I’m sorry, the screen froze. Can you say that again?
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Yeah, no problem. So, many of us worker, contractors, you know, were confused because there’s no direct person to communicate to. So, where should we go?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: Hmm… that’s a good question. Because you’re right, the person that you would normally contact, is no longer there. So what do you do? So you can contact their boss, your boss, your direct supervisor, and ask them: “Who do I contact now? I need an interpreter. I need communication access. I need accommodations. So who do you contact?” The specific person, I’m sorry, I don’t know what because I don’t work in that specific agency. But your boss should know. If your boss doesn’t know, then you need — they need to figure it out. And if they say “Oh, there’s no one” then that’s more evidence for you to document and keep that documentation.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Yeah, I know there’s a lot of questions that are coming in from all of you, I’m seeing it. So, let me ask you some questions from the list that are coming in.
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: Yes.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: If someone asks you, “I was informed that I have to go back in the office. I can’t do remote working, but my — I need to be remote for my capabilities, do I have to go back to work?”
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: That’s a good question. I know that is happening more and more. People are saying that “I don’t want to go back to the office, I have, for disability related reasons, and accommodation that I can work from home.” And so again, contact your boss or whomever and say “do I have to go back to work? Because my accommodations say that I can stay at home and you modified that. What is your plan in place? Because if we’ve already established that, and you already provided that accommodation.” And they are saying other employees are going to work, then perhaps you could work from home.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: So, if I work at home and there’s no communication, or if I’m at work and I still don’t have communication access, that’s awkward. Because multiple people are experiencing the same thing, will this potentially be a class action suit, if we can all be together in this suit?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: That’s a really great question, and you are right, we often file class action lawsuits, when there are a lot of people that are impacted in a similar way. We previously filed a class action lawsuite related to communication access for federal employees in the Department of Agriculture, so NAD does have experience with that. So, really, the answer is “it depends.” If there are a lot of Deaf people who are being impacted within a single agency, it is possible that that could be a class action, but if we are seeing individual cases popping up of people being impacted in a variety of different agencies, we wouldn’t be able to put all of those together as a single class.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Can we?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: It depend because each agency is different so they have their own establishment so it would have to be agency-specific issues that we can do class action suit. So, not all agencies can be sued together. We would likely need to address each agency separately.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Oh! Now, will the case cute, class action suit, would that be for each State? The judges in each state? Or would this be the Federal Court?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: If the suit is related to the Federal employees discrimination, that happens in the Federal Court. But again it has to go through the EEO process. And then they can go to the Federal Court.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: The EEO process is at their work level first; right?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: Yes, and that’s why it’s really important in the first day when you file that complaint with the EEO’s Office.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Okay, so they file that first with the EEO, what if there’s no one at the EEO? Who else do they contact? Or is it — must be the EEO first? Is the first step?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: The first step is to contact the EEO office, but , if they’re not there, then the second step would be the next level up, within the EEOC.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Okay, I understand. Another question: So, the White House has already closed the Department of Justice’s, their Civil Rights Division. So, does that mean that, let’s say I have a case related to the ADA — I can’t sue?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: You’re right. Recently the Federal Government froze all DOJ’s civil rights investigations. So –
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Interesting.
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: And so, it’s very frustrating, for our you know, disability rights community, now it doesn’t mean that you can’t pursue litigation. The DOJ… — You don’t have to go through the DOJ in order to file a suit.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Okay. So you don’t have to? So then where — where do we go? So, if we can’t sue through the DOJ, then where do we go? That’s the question.
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: You should contact an attorney. You can contact the NAD’s legal team to discuss the specifics of your situation. We may be able to help with your case, provide advice, or give you a referral depending on your situation. Understand, each individual situation is different. Today’s session is more of an informational session. So, it would really depend on your specific situation.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Oh, okay. So, with the DOJ, another question related with the EEOC, the equivalent related to opportunities, you know, the employee opportunity commission, the EEOC. What is their role? Should we file with the EEOC, if I don’t have an interpreter?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: So, for the employment again, related to the ADA in the workplace, you first go through the process. First is the EEOC, their process. Then, if you finish that process, then you can go up to the next Federal — to Federal Court
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Kick it up a notch.
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: Yes, but you can’t miss that step. You must do first the EEOC and then the Federal Government. So follow the steps.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Okay, it’s very important to follow the steps accordingly.
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: Yes, because there are other areas within the ADA law that don’t require those steps. But this exhaustion requirement relates specifically to employment issues.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Okay. Next question: What can we do in our communities to support the NAD? Something is asking this. So, if our community is watching, what can we do to support?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: There are several things. First again, fill out the form. That would really help support our investigations and possibly another lawsuit. If you can donate to the NAD, we have a few lawyers who are working diligently, related to these issues. But again, without community support, we don’t have as many resources that we can work with. So again, if you are able to donate, please do.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: So, you were talking about someone says: The NAD has sued the White House. Would you mind explaining that again? Related to like the current Administration. They are talking about what plans we have in place, related to the DCMP that is operated by the Department of Education. Will these two have a conflict of interest? The DCMP and our White House lawsuit? Would that be a conflict of interest?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: That’s a good question. And understand the NAD has had a long history of various lawsuits with different agencies. I’ll give you an example. I used to teach at the University of Maryland’s law school, at the same time we had sued the University of Maryland. Now, of course those things were kept separate. There were boundaries. Were the students involved in that particular lawsuit? Of course not. Because the NAD has different departments and boundaries within the organization, there was no conflict of interest.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: So having those boundaries are important.
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: Um-hum, um-hum.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: So, the DCMP, how do they separate from the White House issues? So, sounds like there is no conflict of interest. Our commitment, we really want to value our community and our civil rights. And so how do we keep those separate? So the DCMP, they provide services, programs related to the civil rights, but my other question has come up and says: How, with all these changes that may impact the NAD, how will it impact the NAD?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: Hmm… well there’s a lot more work! [Chuckles] For our legal team.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Yes.
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: So, when you say “directly to the NAD ” you know, we value our Deaf community and we are very concerned about your rights. And I want to hear your stories and I want to support all of you and make sure that you have your communication access in your workplace, that you have communication access and you can understand the White House briefings. So, the direct impact to the NAD will probably mean that it will be more work. You know? But the real impact is to you, our community.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Yes. We talked about communication. That’s our lifeline! We serve our communities and the changes within the NAD, will that impact the community? It will impact the community and I love your answer. We are now — this is a really good time for us to unify, for us to collaborate our efforts and our fight and to also fight in requiring more funding. And we hope that the community can see and realize that this is the time. The time is now, to donate, to contribute your resource, people. We have another question: I’m wondering if the Federal agency will have their Union Rep that works closely with the NAD, to be able to protect the Federal employees’ rights? Can they work together with the NAD?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: Suppose the Union Rep is significant in the conversation with NAD, related to how they can support us and the Deaf employee in the Federal Government workplace. Then yes, we welcome them to contact us. I would have to think about how specifically we could collaborate, or if we can collect more support. But again, if you have a Union Rep that would be interested, please have them contact the NAD and we can discuss further, with how we can collaborate in our support.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: The union rep, collaboration with NAD, yes. I’m happy to know that we can do that. Another question off point: If I don’t work for the Federal Government, do I have to fill out the survey?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: We have two. We have one related to Federal employees, the Federal Government, they don’t have to fill out that form. But for the second one, it’s related to the White House interpreting issues, the interpreters issues, so please fill out that survey. Fill out that form.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Also, will they have other surveys, that they will need to fill out later, that may be situational based? Because when I look at television news and newspaper stories, there are many things coming up, so many changes.
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: Every day there’s something new.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Yes, something new. So at the NAD we are watching every day and I feel like will we need to have more surveys?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: Yes, yes.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: There’s another question related to: If I am a Federal employee and I have to go back in the office, if I go back to the office, can I fill out an accommodation? A reasonable accommodation request? Will the new group accept the office space may not have the accommodation in providing the bandwidth for an interpreter or for VRI or for VRS interpreter? So that’s the question I’m reading.
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: That’s a good question. I don’t know how they’re going to respond. I don’t know. But I think “yes”. Go ahead and fill that out, make your request. And you know, again, keep their response. But again, if they say “no”, you have to go back in the office and make it clear “okay, that means that you need to provide me an interpreter, whatever the accommodation requests, ” the access that you need to do your job. Okay “I need VP, I need an interpreter, video phone, interpreter” whatever it is that you need, specifically, make those lists.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Thank you. Appreciate that. Can you help me to understand why does the NAD have us fill out these surveys? Why? What’s it for? The NAD didn’t do the same thing you know, have us fill out these surveys you know, in prior years, why all of a sudden are we doing this now? Why is it different now? Why is it important for us to fill out the survey.
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: Yes, we have these new survey forms. We’re trying to improve our intake process to make it a lot more efficient and so, if we see all the information we can track it easily. It’s one place, we can make a response and we feel like it’s a better way for us to communicate with all of you and understand right now we have a lot of people contacting us about these issues. And if we can see all the information in one place then it helps the NAD better to evaluate and assess so that we know where we can help. So, if we have this group of people that they have the same issue then you can contact and figure out a better strategy together. Or maybe there’s somebody else with a similar issue so we can bring them together to collaborate. And we need to have — you know, the right people involved in any potential litigation. So, if you’re interested in supporting us and you need that communication, whether it be an interpreter, then we need your information. I need to know how I can contact you, if you want to be involved.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: You know, “reasonable accommodation”, that’s a hard term to understand. “When I go back to work, I need this, this, and this.” And they will say “Oh, you’re Deaf?” Like, how do I make the request for my needs, when I go back to the workplace? That part, I’m not clear on. So, this is the question.
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: So, again, you would need to contact directly to your administrator, your boss.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Yes, right, your boss.
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: You know, again, contact your EEO person, contact your HR person, because if that person has left and they’re not there, then you need to contact your boss and say “What are we going to do with my accommodations request?” And I understand that sometimes you don’t feel comfortable contacting your boss, you know, when there’s a disability accommodation request, your boss is you know, managing my work, I don’t want to impact my relationship with my boss. But if you don’t know who’s the right person to ask, then you need to ask your boss “Who do I contact, related to a request for accommodation?”
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: For example, if I come back and I have a new boss, it’s different people in the workplace. That means that I have to start step-by-step in making my request; right?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: Yes. They should have the information in their file, documentation. But again, it is very important that you make the request first. Because we don’t want to be without communication access– you need your communication access, that is foremost important. So you need that communication access and I understand it’s frustrating, but you do need to make the request again.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: I notice that many of my hearing other employees, they are making other reasonable accommodation requests for their — in order to keep their remote access. And so I’m just concerned if mine is a reasonable accommodation request, does that mean that my request may not be seen as important because there’s so many people that are applying for reasonable accommodation requests? And I’m afraid that, you know, mine may seem like a weak request or may be denied or overlooked.
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: Each person applying for a reasonable accommodation request must have a specific disability related reason. And I understand you may have noticed that a lot of hearing people are requesting accommodations, but they do have to have a disability related reason for those. We don’t know their specific situations, but their request for accommodations should not impact your request, because yours is a separate request. Each individual’s request for reasonable accommodation is individually based and it should be decided individually. Not as a cohort. There’s — if we can 30 people asking to work remote, that doesn’t mean that they’re going to deny a percentage. It means that each one will be specifically reviewed and decision will be based individually after a fact specific analysis.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Another question is kind of related to White House accessibility services, related to the White House’s briefings. The question is related to that. We used to have White House interpreters, but some of the briefings were kind of just “good enough ” it was just a simple statement, that’s why they felt like we didn’t need an interpreter. How do you answer that concern?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: I understand. The Deaf community is very diverse, not every Deaf individual has the same specific communication need. So, some Deaf individuals prefer to rely on closed captioning. But many other Deaf people do need to have an interpreter, because English is not their first language. And it’s not clear communication access. Closed captioning is not for the majority. And so, for some it may work for them and that’s fine. There are — some Deaf are okay with the closed captioning. But other Deaf they really are dependent on sign language, the visual language, in order to have full and clear communication. And make they don’t want to read in their second or third language.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: And we have more questions coming in. More comments coming in. So recently there was a huge push in reducing Federal employees in the workforce. What protection do we have to prevent layoffs of disabled Federal Employees? Many of us who are Deaf, how do we as Federal agencies make sure that this is fair? And for those who have disabilities, can maintain their employee rights, how?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: We’ll see. I mean, these are good questions and right now it’s wait and see on how the Federal agencies are responding. I mean, it’s a fearful time. And that’s why we really do want to collect this information from all of you so that we can see what is happening out there. And we can have a better understanding on how each agency is responding, so we can make sure that Deaf people’s rights are fair and equal.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Data, data, data. The more data, the more power. So that we can fight back. So yes, very important. Another question related: Can the President, any President, do they really have the authority to remove the ADA law for our civil rights?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: So, understand the President has the ability to remove a law itself? No. That requires a process. Now, who creates the law is legislature.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: The Congress.
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: Yes, Congress and legislature, they are the rule and law-making body. Then there are the courts, the courts they have the job to interpret the law and figure out what is the meaning. So, if the legislature wrote it, and the court makes that decision, what does that mean? So, again, the President, his actions can limit the law and how it’s applied. But the President cannot remove the law. But the Courts really have a huge impact, you know? And the Supreme Court has a huge impact on Deaf rights, including our ability to sue and how much we can request in litigation – change, monetary damages, whatever else. Again the Supreme Court they really do have a huge impact on that.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: We can fight back! That’s our only way. And the NAD, we have a long history of fighting back. And we understand those types of protections. Another thing related to the DEI, those cuts, the Department of Education, related to interpreting funds, training funds. Do we have any information related to interpreting programs and the funding provided to those programs?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: No. We haven’t received any information related to the funding of these interpreter training programs. Bobbi Beth, have you see any information related to this issue?
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: The Department of Education has been quiet. They haven’t talked about this topic, yet. It doesn’t mean that they’re not going to do something. But there are other issues that have come up and we need to watch how it will impact the interpreting training programs and we will have to fight that if it does. That will be my answer. So… Another question, related to a lot of us that are watching right now, this information: If we are sending in these surveys, if we send in the copy/paste of what you are going to send up and we send it in, is that concerned — would by considered as insubordinate? Am I working against my workplace employer, if I send this in? Or should I stay quiet?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: You’re talking about sending out something related to the White House interpreter issue?
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Oh, no. The White House accessibility, the Press Briefings, or the letters related to my request for reasonable accommodations. So, if I send that letter in, will that — will I be considered insubordinate or not?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: No. The law will protect your rights to ask for reasonable accommodation. And that’s not being insubordinate. No! That’s your right. A person with a disability has the right to make a request for reasonable accommodation. And the law protects you against retaliation — the government cannot retaliate. If you want to say “These are my rights and they were violated ” they cannot retaliate. Now understand, does that mean that they won’t retaliate? No, but again, legally they’re not allowed to do that. And if they do retaliate against you, then you have the right to sue them or pursue legal action.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Can you talk about the impact on Gallaudet? Gallaudet’s funding? Anything related to Deaf-related programs?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: The funding cut… it’s a huge concern, yes. Was there a target specifically on Deaf education? No. But it could impact — the impact could spread to the Deaf community and we do need to collect more information and data to see how it could potentially impact us. But, a specific target to Deaf education, no. But we are concerned, yes.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: With the influx not really related to the board, related to the DEI-related to accessibility. The DEIA EOs. But we are watching. We have to monitor and make sure what’s happening next. What will be the impact and has it happened yet? Will we have to maintain a watchful and see what’s going to happen? Another question: The White House has said that all Federal employees, they were going to buy them out, related to the workforce. You saw that? What do you think about that? That’s one question related to that.
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: Yeah, I saw that. They offered and really, if all of you are thinking about and you want to accept it, it’s very important for you to meet with an attorney, review that offering, be specific, make sure before you accept any offer from the White House, make sure that you have reviewed it with an attorney.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Review it with an attorney. So, if you have — like if a Deaf person has an 8-month severance pay, is that really true? I’ve just been hearing rumors. They say the White House didn’t pay. Is that true? But then they said they did. So it’s a bit confused on that. I feel like it’s important, like you said, to see an attorney, related to that situation.
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: Yes, if you’ve received an offer and you’re considering that you want to accept the offer, please discuss it with an attorney and make sure that everything has been discussed, specifically.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Do you think that will impact my retirement? My pension?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: Again, review it with your attorney, specifically with your workplace, your job, your benefits, your retirement, everything. You want to make sure that you have protected yourself.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Another question related to: Would we be able to use the 504 in our workplace?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: Yeess… so — wait, I’m sorry, can we go back.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: I see all these questions coming up, I’m getting a bit overwhelmed. The 504, yeah 504.
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: Yeah. No, yeah, 504, you mean section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act?
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: So that’s the question.
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: Oh, yes, I understand. That Rehabilitation Act does apply to the Federal workplace, “yes”.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: So also related to the FCC funding for VRS services, what happens to that? The FCC funding for VRS services, is there any concern?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: Right now I don’t think there are any. Now the President just — an order related specifically for the FCC funding related to VRS services, no.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Not yet?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: Not yet, but we will watch and see what happens.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Okay. Someone brought up: Is there is possibility they are going to cut or close the Department of Education? And if that were to happen, what’s going to happen to Gallaudet and NTID?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: Um… it’s a lot of “what ifs”. I’m not sure what’s going to happen. We’ll have to wait and see. We’ll have to collect more information.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Yes, we don’t know. I mean… right now we don’t know. Gallaudet, NTID, they have plans in place. So, the best thing is to ask them directly. Ask what is their plan in place. Because, again, right now we don’t know yet. I think we got maybe two more questions. If I file an EEOC complaint, 45 days required to file that complaint, how can the NAD help coordinate? Like, if I file a complaint, and do I need to let the NAD know about my EEOC’s complaint?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: No, you don’t have to. But we would appreciate it if you let us know. Yes. We would really appreciate any information that you would be willing to share.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: So, again, that survey, collecting the information will help. Okay, we’ve got, maybe two more questions. So, many Deaf Federal Employees in the workplace that are not covered by a union, nonpartisan, can they come to the NAD for legal assistance in developing an EEOC complaint?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: Yes, please contact the NAD and understand that our legal team, we are very small, we have only a few attorneys. So, we are working hard to process all the information that’s coming in, but again, please contact us and we will do our best to contact you and talk about your specific situation and see if the NAD, how can we support and help you.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: There’s one question that is expressed by many of us. This question is: With all the changes that’s happening, do you think that the White House, its goal is to be able — they want to get rid of people like us? The Federal employees. Do you think the EEO and the NAD will be able to protect us? Just, so concerned. Because the DOJ, they are supposed to be protecting the people by the people, but it doesn’t feel that way anymore.
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: You’re right. The DOJ’s responsibility has been to protect the people. And they’re several rights. The Civil Rights Department is to help defend people with disabilities. And it’s a very scary time right now. They have fozen all civil rights investigations. It’s horrible, it’s terrifying. And understand that the NAD, you know, we are focused on supporting the Deaf community and to continue fighting for your rights. And that may mean that the process is going to take longer, it’s a longer process. But again, the first step is to contact the EEO, then the EEOC and then the Federal Courts. So contact your EEO and the EEOC and the Federal Government. It can be a long process, but we are committed to pursuing equal access for the Deaf community and that means Federal employees, you are our focus.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Interesting to close with that. Our last question: What can we, in the community, do to support the NAD? What is your answer? What can we do to support the NAD?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: Join the NAD community, so that you can join NAD, you can contribute, and donate. Please fill out our forms, please give us information updates about your specific situation. I want to hear from you, I want to know what is your story and I want to see how I can support you. And we have to partner together. We have to work together. And that is going to be the best way that all of you — that we can fight for your rights and really make a difference.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Yes! There are many questions that are coming in. And we need the time to go through these questions, what is making a greater impact to our community? And there are so many changes that people may not be aware of. And we can’t afford to just overlook these issues. We can fight or you know, that “fight or flights”. And we afford, for that very reason, we need the NAD to continue receiving all of your contributions, resources, people, money, your time. We need to gather all of this and develop resources. And again, I thank you so much for many of your donations. I appreciate it. But at the same time, we need you to become a member of the NAD. Becoming a member of the NAD, our numbers will expand, and that will help us to be able to push back, and to be more resilient and value our civil human rights. And that is so important, and we cannot ignore it. It is so important. So, I appreciate you, I thank you. Please you know, thank you for watching our discussion this evening. And Brittany, is there any final words of, you know, heartfelt concern? Especially to our Federal employees, our interpreters, and our contractors? We are in it together. And we are a family; right?
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: Yes. Thank you again for tonight, I really appreciate all of you being here, the time that you took to show up and watch our information session and to be included in this discussion. Thank you for e-mailing your questions.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Thank you.
>> BRITTANY SHRADER: This information session is not legal advice; right? I don’t know your specific situation, so please contact me so that I can understand your specific situation, and know how NAD can help support you. We are in this together, like Bobbie Beth said. We are family. We are here for you. We want to continue the fight for all of you.
>> DR. BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS: Thank you, everyone! And keep up the fight!
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