The United States Attorney General’s Office and Yakima County, Washington, reached a settlement agreement to improve the County’s adherence to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 in June of 2015.

Based on a review of Yakima County’s programs, services, activities, and facilities, the United States determined that people with disabilities were being excluded from participation in or denied the benefits of many of those programs, services, activities, and facilities because of their disabilities, and as result, the County discriminated against them in violation of the ADA.

The US and Yakima County agreed on several remedial measures in response to the violations that the Department of Justice found. The parties issued the agreement in order to avoid the burden and expense of further litigation.

Yakima County agreed to distribute and post notice that it will not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring and employment practices, that it will provide effective communication (meaning appropriate aids and services) to qualified people with disabilities, and that it will make reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have equal access.

The County agreed to hire an independent architect to certify the modifications made to buildings during the agreement’s term.

Among the services the County agreed to improve were effective communication. This included finding qualified readers and sign language interpreters, making sure 911 services were trained to recognize and respond to text telephone calls, making sure that police stations and police officers were equipped and trained to serve the deaf, hard of hearing, and those who use alternative methods of communication, such as captioned telephone or computer.

The County also agreed to update its Emergency Operation Plan to incorporate ADA guidelines, which include things like procedures for making sure people with disabilities are not separated from their service animals in emergency situations; removing barriers from emergency shelters to make them accessible; reviewing sidewalk accessibility; taking steps to ensure compliance of county web sites and web-based activity; and ensuring that centers for domestic violence and abuse are equipped to aid people with disabilities.

The county agreed to submit reports six months after the agreement was signed, and every year after until the agreement expired. The agreement remained effective for three years.

Rachel Carpman - 02/21/2019


compress summary