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Settlement reached to help deaf arrestees, victims

8:21 PM, Mar 21, 2013   |    comments
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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.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)