Connecticut Department Of Aging Agrees To Improve Access For Disabled

FAIRFIELD, CONN. -- The state’s Department of Aging has agreed to provide sign language interpreters and other communication aids for people who are deaf or hearing impaired, according to Deirdre M. Daly, U.S. Attorney for Connecticut.

U.S. Attorney for Connecticut Deirdre Daly says that the Connecticut Department of Aging, hit by an Americans With Disabilities Act complaint, has agreed to provide sign language interpreters for people who are deaf or hearing impaired.
Photo Credit: *File*

Carol Reif

12/29/2015 4:00 a.m.

The agreement settles a case brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office under the Americans With Disabilities Act after a person who is deaf complained that the public entity had failed to provide interpreters during certain programs or meetings, Daly said.

“Individuals who have disabilities must not be denied equal access to the services offered by the state of Connecticut due to their disability,” she said.

Daly said that the Department of Aging had cooperated fully with her office and will amend its policies and practices to include qualified sign language or oral interpreters, the use of relay services, computer-assisted real time transcription, and, for simple communications, the exchange of written notes.

Individuals who believe that they may have been victims of discrimination can file a complaint with the U.S. Attorney’s Office by calling (203) 821-3700, or by clicking here.

More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt.

More information about the ADA can be found at www.ada.gov, or by calling the Department’s toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 and (800) 514-0383 (TDD).

Click here to follow Daily Voice Bridgeport and receive free news updates.