The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a lawsuit against IT services firm Tech Mahindra (Americas) Inc., after the IT services firm allegedly refused to hire a qualified applicant because he was deaf.

Robert Rademacher interviewed for a job as an automation engineer with Tech Mahindra in Nov. 2022, according to the EEOC. Upon discovering that Rademacher was deaf and using a sign-language interpreter, Tech Mahindra abruptly stopped the interview and informed him that he would not get the job.

The company allegedly followed up with an email telling him, “While you have the perfect skill set for this role, it would be a challenge having an inter[preter] on-site,” according to the EEOC. Despite Rademacher explaining how virtual interpretation technology could be used to eliminate the need for an onsite interpreter, Tech Mahindra refused to hire him.

Tech Mahindra has been contacted for comment.

“Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing are often illegally denied opportunities for employment because of assumptions and stereotypes,” said EEOC Acting District Director Timothy Riera. “This lawsuit sends a message that such conduct is against the law and will not be tolerated.”

The EEOC filed suit in the US District Court for the Western District of New York after attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process.

The lawsuit seeks back pay, compensatory damages and punitive damages for the applicant, as well as injunctive relief designed to remedy and prevent future disability discrimination in the hiring process.