Communication is Critical

All About ADA Compliance & Complaints

Do you need help navigating the Americans with Disabilities Act compliance laws?

Call or email us, we can help.

248-473-1888 or email dhissvcs@gmail.com

Are you a business owner who wants to ensure you’re following ADA guidelines properly and providing the most appropriate resources for your Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard-of-Hearing clients or staff?

We’re here to help guide you!

Have you ever experienced discrimination because you are a Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing person? The National Association of the Deaf strongly encourages you to file a complaint so that you may be able to resolve the problem, as well as raise awareness.

To see the different ways you can file an ADA complaint for your specific situation click below.

Understanding Michigan Certified Interpreters

Minimum Standard Levels 

Michigan has multiple levels of Interpreter certification so understanding which standard level your services fall under is important.

Standard Level 1

Non-complex, low-risk assignments. No topics related to health, mental health, legal, employment, finance, or government.

Type of Proceeding:

  • Post-secondary Education

  • GED Training

  • Post-secondary Vocational Training and Assessments

  • DeafBlind**

    **Requires DeafBlind Endorsement

  • Workshops

  • Meetings

  • Training

  • General presentations

  • VRS

Certification/Endorsement Requirements:

  • BEI I

  • DI

  • NAD III

  • IC

  • TC

Standard Level 2

Moderately complex, medium-high-risk: health care (with Endorsement), government, employment, finance.

  • Government Meetings

  • Presentation by dignitaries and Public Personalities

  • Plays, Concerts, TV News

  • Tax Assessment Meetings/Appeals

  • Applications for State/Federal Services

  • VRI (as appropriate to this level)

  • DeafBlind**

    **Requires DeafBlind Endorsement

Type of Proceeding:

  • All of Level 1

  • IEP Meetings involving D/DB/HH parent, staff member, or D/DB/HH professional

  • Meetings

  • Job Interviews

  • Job Training

  • Employment Grievances/Discipline

  • Staff Meetings

  • Political Events

  • Financial, banking, and personal transactions

Certification/Endorsement Requirements:

  • BEI II

  • CI

  • CT

  • OTC

  • NAD IV

  • NIC

  • NIC Advanced and NIC Master

The following Level 2 proceedings also require a Medical/Mental Health Endorsement:

  • Mental Health Facility

  • Medical Presentations

  • Counseling

  • Psychiatric Evaluations

  • Addiction Treatment

  • Health Care, beyond First Aid

  • Emergency Room

  • Urgent Care

  • Hospital

  • Inpatient or Outpatient Facilities

Standard Level 3

High risk, legal.

  • All of Level 1 (with appropriate Endorsement)

  • All of Level 2 (with appropriate Endorsement)

  • Forensic Psychiatric Evaluations

  • Evaluations of a Legal Nature

  • Emergency Broadcasts

  • Legal Workshops or Training

Type of Proceeding:

  • VRI (legal subject matter)

  • Police, Prison, Prisoners

  • Attorneys/Courts

  • Children’s Protective Services (CPS)

  • Probation/Parole

  • DeafBlind**

**Requires DeafBlind Endorsement

  • BEI III*

  • DI*

  • CDI*

  • NIC*

  • NIC Advanced*

  • NIC Master*

  • CSC

  • MCSC

  • RSC

  • SC:L

  • NAD V

  • CI/CT

  • OTC

  • CLIP-R

*Requires 4 years of post-certification experience

** Requires DeafBlind Endorsement

***Requires Legal Endorsement

Certification/Endorsement Requirements:

Non-Post Secondary Educational 

Minimum Standard Levels 

Interpreters with valid Secondary Standard Levels cannot work in Elementary education settings. An Educational Interpreter shall team with a standard level 2 or standard level 3 Interpreter for medical, mental health, or legal situations including situations involving child protective services unless the Educational Interpreter also is qualified to interpret in the relevant situation.

Pre-K through Grade 6

Certification/Endorsement Requirements:

Requires Elementary EIPA 4.0, and a passing score on the EIPA written test; or DI/CDI; or other Division recognized certification

  • Elementary or Secondary Classroom

  • For a student with an IEP/504 Plan, including a transition

  • School-related disciplinary actions (not involving police)

  • Before/After-School Activities

  • Class Trips

  • During an IEP for a student

Type of Activity:

  • High School vocational training

  • Other School-Related Activities

  • Any auxiliary services located within the school or related service listed on the IEP

  • DeafBlind**

    **Requires DeafBlind Endorsement

Grades 7 to Age 26 with IEP/504 plan

Requires Secondary or Elementary EIPA 4.0, and a passing score on the EIPA written test; or BEI 2; or qualified at Standard Levels 2 or 3; or DI/CDI; or other Division recognized certification.

Certification/Endorsement Requirements:

Type of Activity:

  • Secondary Classroom

  • For a student with an IEP/504 Plan, including a transition

  • School-related disciplinary actions (not involving police)

  • Before/After-School Activities

  • Class Trips

  • During an IEP for a student

  • High School vocational training

  • Other School-Related Activities

  • Any auxiliary services located within the school or related services listed on the IEP