Americans with Disabilities Act in Law Enforcement Settings

Law enforcement officers frequently come into contact with people with a variety of disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination in the U.S. criminal justice system. Whether law enforcement officers are interacting with crime victims, witnesses, arrestees, detainees, or members of the overall public, they are required to take steps to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equitable access to law enforcement services and avoid unnecessary criminal justice involvement. This presentation will focus on the ADA legal principles applicable to state and local law enforcement, including the applicable ADA regulations, and technical assistance publications.