ADA Guide for Small Towns

I) Police Services.

Local police services are covered by the ADA, including investigations, interrogation, arrest, and transportation. Program accessibility requirements apply to the services and programs offered to the public, including those offered at a local police station. Effective communication requirements also apply to communication with the public, including individuals suspected of criminal activity.

A police officer and a deaf person communicate using a writing pad and pen.

If a town has a police station, jail, or holding facility, or other public police facility, the town should include services, programs, and activities that are offered in these facilities in its self-evaluation. To achieve program accessibility, it may be possible to share some accessible facilities with other nearby towns or government entities or to offer the service, program, or activity in another accessible location or manner. Vehicles used to transport suspects or prisoners should also be included in the self-evaluation. If a town does not have an accessible vehicle available for transporting suspects or prisoners, the town should identify a source for an accessible vehicle, such as an accessible school bus, taxi with a wheelchair lift, or an accessible vehicle from a nearby town.