Corrections_Today_Spring_2026_Vol.88_No.1

VIEW FROM THE LINE

Conclusion

interpreters for programs, TTY devices for phone calls, Video Re lay Services (VRS), Video Remote Interpreting (VRI), or audio-taped books for incarcerated individuals who are blind, to name a few options. Medical Need vs. Accommo dation Need: The ADA ensures incarcerated individuals with dis abilities have access to medical care, medications, assistive devices (like wheelchairs or shower chairs) and assistance. It is critical to ensure collaboration between the identified ADA Coordinator and medical staff understand their part in addressing disability needs.

Tiffany Fackler is the ADA Compliance Manager for Washington State Department of Corrections. Previously, the Statewide ADA Coordinator for Pennsylvania Department

The ADA is an important basic civil rights legislation that impacts the correctional setting. It is intended to prevent dis crimination against those with disabilities, ensure access for those individuals to activities, programs, and services, and mandates assessment of existing policies, protocols and procedures to ensure reasonable modifications. The ADA places a legal duty on the correctional system to make sure agencies are not ignoring the needs of disabled incarcerated individuals. CT

of Corrections. She has worked in the law enforcement realm for the last 16 years.

Robin Schweikert is the ADA Coordinator for the Michigan Department of Corrections and has worked in the corrections environment for the last 31 years.