Arlington County Sheriff’s Office, ADA Violation, Virginia 2024

Arlington County Sheriff’s Office Settles ADA Claim for $250,000

Alexandria, VA – The Arlington County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) has agreed to settle a Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) claim for $250,000 after failing to provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services to a deaf individual during their 40-day incarceration at the Arlington County Detention Facility (ACDF).

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the investigation began after allegations were made that the ACSO, which operates the ACDF, violated the ADA by failing to provide sign language interpreter services and a telecommunication device to the complainant, who is unable to read and write in English.

“People who are deaf or hard of hearing must be able to communicate clearly with law enforcement officials,” said Tracy Doherty-McCormick, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Through this settlement agreement, the Arlington County Sheriff has taken important steps to ensure that the operations of the Arlington County Detention Facility are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.”

Under the settlement, the ACSO will pay $250,000 to the aggrieved individual and take remedial steps to bring itself into compliance with the ADA, including the appointment of an ADA Coordinator, providing ADA training to its staff, and procuring telecommunication devices usable by individuals who are deaf, including videophones.

The settlement also requires the ACSO to adopt specific policies and procedures to ensure that auxiliary aids and services are provided promptly to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, and to ensure that the ACSO responds promptly to disability-related needs of its inmates.

This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Gordon, who is the Civil Rights Enforcement Coordinator for the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to ensuring that law enforcement agencies comply with the ADA and provide equal access to individuals with disabilities.

For more information on the ADA and to access resources on ADA compliance, visit www.ada.gov or call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TDD).

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