Settlement Reached To Help Deaf Arrestees, Victims
DENVER (AP) — Federal prosecutors have reached agreements with Arapahoe County and the city of Englewood to resolve allegations that deaf arrestees, victims and witnesses haven't been able to effectively communicate with law-enforcement officers.
Arapahoe County and Englewood have agreed to each pay $35,000 to plaintiffs who sued over the complaints.
The Justice Department said Thursday that both agreed to enter contracts with qualified sign language interpreters to ensure they are readily available; train staff on the Americans with Disabilities Act; appoint Americans with Disabilities Act coordinators; post signs indicating the availability of services for the hard of hearing; provide text telephones and volume control telephones; modify handcuffing policies for people who use sign language or writing to communicate; and provide hearing aid and cochlear implant processor batteries in the detention facility.
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