Corrections_Today_Spring_2026_Vol.88_No.1

VIEW FROM THE LINE

VIEW FROM THE LINE

Understanding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its impact to the correctional environment By Tiffany Fackler & Robin Schweikert

The information provided in this article is not a direct reflection of the agencies the authors are employed by. It is solely based on the authors’ compre hension of the ADA due to training and handling accommodation needs at their respective agencies. This article aims to provide a com prehensive overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the importance of complying with the rights under Title II. I t is a typical day at a state correctional reception facility with a bus unloading incarcer ated individuals. One deaf adult male walked off the bus into the screening area. Staff ask their typi cal questions and provide orders to all the incarcerated individuals. The deaf man follows the others and tries to focus on the lips of the staff members. Finally, a staff member addresses him directly and realizes the individual is deaf. In this situation what should the staff member do? This article will outline require ments under the ADA and a broad overview of considerations for corrections agency leadership to consume.

Adobe Stock/Vitalii Vodolazskyi

What is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)? The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990. The ADA is intended to be a broad civil rights law to protect individuals with disabilities from discrimination. Correctional environments are included in the

ADA under Title II of the act which addresses state and local govern ment entities. This was confirmed on June 15, 1998, with the case Yeskey vs. Penn sylvania Department of Corrections being affirmed that, “State prisons fall squarely within the Title II’s statutory definition of “public entity”.

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Spring 2026 | Corrections Today

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