DeSoto Parish has signed an agreement with the U.S. Attorney's Office, promising to comply with the American Disabilities Act.
The Act was passed in 1990, and requires parishs/counties, cities, towns and villages to eliminate barriers that prevent people with disabilities from participating fully in community and civic life.
DeSoto Parish has worked cooperatively with the Department of Justice and, in signing the settlement, has made significant progress in meeting ADA requirements. Under the settlement agreement, DeSoto Parish will remove barriers to accessibility in buildings, such as government office buildings providing services to its citizens, courthouses, sheriff’s offices, and detention centers. The agreement also requires DeSoto Parish to:
- make physical modifications of facilities to improve accessibility, such as accessible parking, accessible routes into and through the facilities, accessible restrooms, and the provision of services at alternate, accessible locations;
- train staff regarding the requirements of the ADA and appropriate ways of ensuring program access;
- ensure effective communication to individuals with disabilities, including individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing or blind or have low vision; and
- post and publish the identity and functions of the Parish ADA Coordinator, as well as the Parish’s ADA Grievance Procedure Policy.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen J. King handled the case.
For more information about the ADA, the agreement and the PCA initiative, individuals may access the ADA web page at: www.ada.gov/civicac.htm [ada.gov] or call the toll-free ADA Information Line at: 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TTY).
