Sophia Public Speaking - ADA Violation - UPDATE: They are now deaf friendly!

[ashkir]

Hello,

So Sophia flat out told me that if I want to take Public Speaking I must verbally speak it and I cannot use Sign Language or have a translator!

I contacted ACE over this and they told me they require all institutions to do this!

should be interesting to see how this goes down... I'm gonna keep pressing on Sophia to provide DEAF FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVES. They are violating federal law over this too :O

Out of curiosity I reached out to Study.com their customer support said they'll find assistance for me.  StraighterLine doesn't even require the deaf to do the video and will accommodate with a doctor's note. I'm considering taking the class even though TESU is reviewing waiving it, just for the 3 credits to transfer in. I already have for Sophia and I want to maximize it.

UPDATE: Sophia reached out and changed their mind. They now suddenly will offer alternatives for deaf!!!!

[lacussucceed]

Some support agent probably told you it isn't possible. Don't take it too hard. If you insist taking it at Sophia I'm sure they will also provide an alternative. You could also have it waived or take it somewhere else.

[ss20ts]

I'm guessing you used the chat feature and inquired? I would send an email to Sophia asking for ADA accommodations to be made due to your hearing impairment. It may be all in the wording. By inquiring by email, you have a digital record and can request someone from higher up the chain and remind them of the ADA laws.

Why put yourself through this though when TESU has already said they will adjust your course requirements due to your hearing impairment? Public Speaking is going to be more writing and I know how much fun you had writing the papers for English.

[ashkir]

I'm guessing you used the chat feature and inquired? I would send an email to Sophia asking for ADA accommodations to be made due to your hearing impairment. It may be all in the wording. By inquiring by email, you have a digital record and can request someone from higher up the chain and remind them of the ADA laws.

Why put yourself through this though when TESU has already said they will adjust your course requirements due to your hearing impairment? Public Speaking is going to be more writing and I know how much fun you had writing the papers for English.

TESU said they would accommodate it but have yet to update it in my evaluation for an alternative: Their ADA office isn't responding to emails right now.  So I figured if I have Sophia to see if I can get the touchstone part waived.

I don't mind writing papers if I get a good grader who will give actual feedback.

---

I just got a message back from Sophia.

They changed their mind and will allow Sign Language/Or other means of Non-Verbal Communication to be in the video, and pay for an interpreter themselves.

[ctcarl]

They are violating federal law over this too :O

Strictly speaking, I don't believe that Sophia students are protected by the ADA.

They aren't covered under Title II, because Sophia isn't a federally-funded school.  Ditto §504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Nor are they affected by Title III of the ADA, because they offer online courses exclusively and do not provide a place of public accommodations.

With that said, I would follow ss20ts's suggestion to send an email.  One of the only complaints I have with Sophia...and it's kind of a nitpick...is that you do not get the same level of service through each support channel.  Once you get through to the right person, I am sure they will accommodate you.  It's important to keep in mind that they don't have a full-time disability staffer like brick-and-mortar schools do, but that doesn't mean they won't provide you with an appropriate solution.

[ashkir]

They are violating federal law over this too :O

Strictly speaking, I don't believe that Sophia students are protected by the ADA.

They aren't covered under Title II, because Sophia isn't a federally-funded school.  Ditto §504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Nor are they affected by Title III of the ADA, because they offer online courses exclusively and do not provide a place of public accommodations.

With that said, I would follow ss20ts's suggestion to send an email.  One of the only complaints I have with Sophia...and it's kind of a nitpick...is that you do not get the same level of service through each support channel.  Once you get through to the right person, I am sure they will accommodate you.  It's important to keep in mind that they don't have a full-time disability staffer like brick-and-mortar schools do, but that doesn't mean they won't provide you with an appropriate solution.

@ctcarl -- All American Businesses that provide service to the public, especially if academic in nature, is required to allow for the accomondation. Even if it means the deaf needs to provide their own translator. Sophia tried telling me this was not allowed. Regardless, all places of business are required to do this. Sophia is for-profit and ran by a for-profit school, Capella.

But I did update my post @ctcarl, they did change their mind and decided they would make an exception after upper management at Sophia reviewed it. They escalated it rather quickly once I told them ACE said it's required.

[ctcarl]

@ctcarl -- All American Businesses that provide service to the public, especially if academic in nature, is required to allow for the accomondation. Even if it means the deaf needs to provide their own translator. Sophia tried telling me this was not allowed. Regardless, all places of business are required to do this.

Perhaps you're speaking of some legislation other than the ADA or the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Regardless, I'm pleased that they were able to resolve this for you so quickly!

[ashkir]

@ctcarl -- All American Businesses that provide service to the public, especially if academic in nature, is required to allow for the accomondation. Even if it means the deaf needs to provide their own translator. Sophia tried telling me this was not allowed. Regardless, all places of business are required to do this.

Perhaps you're speaking of some legislation other than the ADA or the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  Regardless, I'm pleased that they were able to resolve this for you so quickly!

It was in the ADA act. Sophia tried to say alternatives, including having my own provided interpreter was not allowed. They changed their mind and are now in compliance.

Any place open to the public, cannot deny reasonable accomondation and mine was to let me use my own translator for the touchstone. They said no to that. I asked ACE, ACE said they need to let me. Sophia changed their mind and said they can make an exception for me.

[ss20ts]

@ctcarl -- All American Businesses that provide service to the public, especially if academic in nature, is required to allow for the accomondation. Even if it means the deaf needs to provide their own translator. Sophia tried telling me this was not allowed. Regardless, all places of business are required to do this.

Perhaps you're speaking of some legislation other than the ADA or the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  Regardless, I'm pleased that they were able to resolve this for you so quickly!

It was in the ADA act. Sophia tried to say alternatives, including having my own provided interpreter was not allowed. They changed their mind and are now in compliance.

Any place open to the public, cannot deny reasonable accomondation and mine was to let me use my own translator for the touchstone. They said no to that. I asked ACE, ACE said they need to let me. Sophia changed their mind and said they can make an exception for me.

I'm really thinking you conversed with someone who had no idea what you were even talking about and somehow it was moved up the food chain. I'm glad that ACE backed you up.

[dfrecore]

@ctcarl -- All American Businesses that provide service to the public, especially if academic in nature, is required to allow for the accomondation. Even if it means the deaf needs to provide their own translator. Sophia tried telling me this was not allowed. Regardless, all places of business are required to do this.

Perhaps you're speaking of some legislation other than the ADA or the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  Regardless, I'm pleased that they were able to resolve this for you so quickly!

It was in the ADA act. Sophia tried to say alternatives, including having my own provided interpreter was not allowed. They changed their mind and are now in compliance.

Any place open to the public, cannot deny reasonable accomondation and mine was to let me use my own translator for the touchstone. They said no to that. I asked ACE, ACE said they need to let me. Sophia changed their mind and said they can make an exception for me.

Can you tell me where this is stated in the law? Just curious.

If I provide a service to the public, do I have to accommodate you?  No matter the cost?  Even if it's online-only?  I have a small business, so I'm curious what my liability is here.