Deaf Services Program

Get medical care in sign language

Complete care for those who are deaf, hard of hearing, and/or deaf-blind

Baltimore Medical System offers a wide range of services. And, we provide all of those services to deaf and hard of hearing patients. We have been deaf-friendly since our doors opened in 1984. We are sensitive to your needs and we are experienced in meeting them.

The Deaf Services Program is at our Highlandtown center where we have full-time sign language interpreters there. From the front desk to your doctor, we will be sure that communication is clear. At other medical centers it may take weeks to get an appointment with a doctor and an interpreter. But here, we are available to you every weekday.

We offer one-on-one services to any member of the deaf and hard of hearing community. This includes preferred language, mode of communication, etc. We work with our Language Access group to communicate with you how you feel most comfortable.

We want to give you the power to take charge of your health. That is why we also work with you to help you achieve long-term wellness. We do this through the following services:

• Nutrition planning
• Diabetes education
• Help quitting smoking
• Blood pressure management
• Help with cholesterol

Your total health matters to us

We can help you apply for health insurance, financial assistance and discounted prescriptions. We can also help get you interpretation services if you need care outside of Baltimore Medical System.

Frequently asked questions

We provide sign language interpretation for deaf, hard of hearing and deaf-blind patients.

• +How do I make an appointment?

  Contact us in any of the following ways:

  • Video Phone: 443-743-3033
  • Voice telephone: 410-558-4739
  • E-mail at deafservices@bmsi.org

• +Will my sign language interpreter come into the exam room with me?

  This is your decision. If you choose, your interpreter can join you in the exam room. It is not required.

• +I don’t know American Sign Language (ASL). Can I still use your services?

  Absolutely! We do everything we can to meet the needs of our deaf, hard of hearing and deaf-blind patients.  We can provide an interpreter who is skilled in written or oral communication. Just ask, we’re here to help you.

• +I don’t have health insurance. Can I come to Baltimore Medical System?

  Yes. We can help you apply for discounted services and discounted prescriptions.

• +I am not a Baltimore Medical System doctor and it is hard for me to provide a sign language interpreter for my patients who are deaf or hard of hearing. Can you help?

  We provide sign language interpretation only for patients of Baltimore Medical System. If your patient is willing to switch doctors, you can refer them to us. Deaf Services can be reached at 410-558-4739 (voice).