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 Board 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 Board 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 Board and a capable interpreter for such person is not otherwise supplied, the Board shall request the Commission on the Deaf and Hearing Impaired to appoint a qualified interpreter 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 Board 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 Board that such translation is a correct translation of the original document.