Right of party to request interpreter or reasonable accommodation

(Statutory reference: 17-137k, 17-137p) (a) Except as hereinafter provided in subsection (b), if any party or witness that such party expects to present at a hearing before the Referee cannot adequately speak or understand spoken English, it shall be the responsibility of such party to provide at the hearing, at such party's own expense, a proficient interpreter who is capable of completely and accurately interpreting for such person. The Referee may refuse to permit or consider testimony from any person who cannot adequately speak or understand spoken English and for whom a capable interpreter has not been supplied. (b) If a deaf person is involved in any hearing before the Referee and a capable interpreter for such person is not otherwise supplied, the Referee shall request the Commission on the Deaf and Hearing Impaired to appoint a qualified interpreter for such deaf person throughout such proceeding and shall continue the hearing until such interpreter is available to interpret for such deaf person. The Appeals Division shall reimburse the Commission on the Deaf and Hearing Impaired for the actual cost, including travel expenses, of any interpreter so supplied. (c) The Referee may refuse to accept or consider as evidence any document written in a language other than English unless such document is interpreted at the hearing by an acceptable interpreter or it is accompanied by a correct English translation with proof satisfactory to the Referee that such translation is a correct translation of the original document.