a reply to:
DigginFoTroof
the regs say yes they do........
under the auxiliary aids regs......
§ 36.303 Auxiliary aids and services.
(a) General. A public accommodation shall take those steps that may be necessary to ensure that no individual with a disability is excluded, denied
services, segregated or otherwise treated differently than other individuals because of the absence of auxiliary aids and services, unless the public
accommodation can demonstrate that taking those steps would fundamentally alter the nature of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages,
or accommodations being offered or would result in an undue burden, i.e., significant difficulty or expense.
(b) Examples. The term "auxiliary aids and services" includes –
(1) Qualified interpreters on-site or through video remote interpreting (VRI) services; notetakers; real-time computer-aided transcription services;
written materials; exchange of written notes; telephone handset amplifiers; assistive listening devices; assistive listening systems; telephones
compatible with hearing aids; closed caption decoders; open and closed captioning, including real-time captioning; voice, text, and video-based
telecommunications products and systems, including text telephones (TTYs), videophones, and captioned telephones, or equally effective
telecommunications devices; videotext displays; accessible electronic and information technology; or other effective methods of making aurally
delivered information available to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing;
(2) Qualified readers; taped texts; audio recordings; Brailled materials and displays; screen reader software; magnification software; optical
readers; secondary auditory programs (SAP); large print materials; accessible electronic and information technology; or other effective methods of
making visually delivered materials available to individuals who are blind or have low vision;
(3) Acquisition or modification of equipment or devices; and
(4) Other similar services and actions.
(c) Effective communication.
(1) A public accommodation shall furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary to ensure effective communication with individuals
with disabilities. This includes an obligation to provide effective communication to companions who are individuals with disabilities.
(i) For purposes of this section, "companion" means a family member, friend, or associate of an individual seeking access to, or participating in, the
goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of a public accommodation, who, along with such individual, is an appropriate
person with whom the public accommodation should communicate.
(ii) The type of auxiliary aid or service necessary to ensure effective communication will vary in accordance with the method of communication used by
the individual; the nature, length, and complexity of the communication involved; and the context in which the communication is taking place. A public
accommodation should consult with individuals with disabilities whenever possible to determine what type of auxiliary aid is needed to ensure
effective communication, but the ultimate decision as to what measures to take rests with the public accommodation, provided that the method chosen
results in effective communication. In order to be effective, auxiliary aids and services must be provided in accessible formats, in a timely manner,
and in such a way as to protect the privacy and independence of the individual with a disability.
(2) A public accommodation shall not require an individual with a disability to bring another individual to interpret for him or her.
(3) A public accommodation shall not rely on an adult accompanying an individual with a disability to interpret or facilitate communication, except
–
(i) In an emergency involving an imminent threat to the safety or welfare of an individual or the public where there is no interpreter available;
or
(ii) Where the individual with a disability specifically requests that the accompanying adult interpret or facilitate communication, the accompanying
adult agrees to provide such assistance, and reliance on that adult for such assistance is appropriate under the circumstances.