A deaf woman who applied for a delivery driver job with ALM Freight, an Amazon Delivery Service Partner in Pontiac, Michigan, says she was denied a key accommodation needed to start her work. According to a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the woman asked for an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter for her first day orientation after being hired. However, the company and its employment agency, LMDmax Corp., refused to provide one and ended the hiring process.
The applicant had accepted the job offer in November 2022 and was working with LMDmax to complete the necessary onboarding steps, including a background check. After finishing those, she requested an ASL interpreter to help with her orientation. Instead of granting the request, LMDmax sent her a text message saying ALM Freight does not supply interpreters and that her hiring would not move forward. The lawsuit claims ALM Freight was aware of this decision and agreed with it.
The EEOC argues that this refusal breaks the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which says employers must make reasonable accommodations for workers with disabilities unless it would cause a big hardship. The case, officially EEOC v. ALM Freight, LLC, and LMDmax Corp., was filed in federal court in Michigan after the EEOC tried unsuccessfully to settle the matter out of court.
This lawsuit highlights the ongoing challenges deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals face when seeking equal opportunities in the workplace. Providing an ASL interpreter for orientation is a straightforward accommodation that helps ensure new employees can fully understand their job and the company policies. Refusing such support can block qualified candidates from starting or succeeding in their roles. The outcome of this case could reinforce the rights of workers needing similar assistance in the future.