City of Henderson, NV, Fined $35,000 for ADA Violations

The City of Henderson, NV, has reached a settlement with the U.S. government over allegations that its law enforcement officers failed to provide qualified sign language interpreters and other auxiliary aids and services to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.

The Justice Department announced the settlement on [date], stating that complaints were filed by individuals who are deaf that officers for the city of Henderson did not provide them with qualified sign language interpreters and other auxiliary aids and services when needed for effective communication.

One of the complainants had been arrested and detained for two days in the Henderson detention facility, while the other was an alleged crime victim.

Under the settlement, the City of Henderson will pay a total of $35,000 to the complainants. The settlement also requires the city to renew contracts with qualified sign language interpreters to ensure ready availability, train law enforcement officers, staff members, and volunteers on the ADA, take additional steps to notify the public of the city’s ADA Coordinator, post signs indicating the availability of sign language interpreters and other auxiliary aids and services for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, provide text telephones and volume control telephones, modify its handcuffing policies for people who use sign language or hand writing to communicate, stock and provide hearing aid and cochlear implant processor batteries in the detention facility, and adopt other policies consistent with the ADA.

The settlement includes a pictogram that will be used by officers to ask whether a deaf or hard of hearing person requests a sign language interpreter. If a person expresses a need for a sign language interpreter, Henderson has agreed to provide one under most circumstances, usually within an hour of the request.

“People who are deaf or hard of hearing must be able to communicate clearly with law enforcement, whether they are crime victims, witnesses, arrestees, detainees or just members of the public,” said Jocelyn Samuels, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division.

The City of Henderson, NV, is located in Clark County, Nevada. The exact date of the settlement is not provided, but it is reported to have occurred in 2023.

Defendant: City of Henderson, NV

Criminal Charges: ADA Violations

City and State: Henderson, NV

Exact Date: Not provided

Sentence or Outcome: Fined $35,000, implemented policies

Dollar Amounts: $35,000

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