Justice Department Announces Settlement Agreement with Washington County, Missouri

The Justice Department today announced a settlement agreement with Washington County, Missouri, to improve access to all aspects of civic life for people with disabilities.  The agreement was reached under Project Civic Access, the department's wide-ranging initiative to ensure that cities, towns and counties throughout the country comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Under the agreement, the County will take important steps to improve access for people with disabilities, such as: physically modifying facilities surveyed by the Department so that they are accessible; retaining an Independent Licensed Architect; appointing an ADA Coordinator; adopting a Grievance Procedure; providing auxiliary aids and services necessary to ensure effective communication; ensuring accessibility of polling places; ensuring that emergency procedures, plans, and shelters accommodate people with disabilities; and posting and publishing a notice to inform members of the public of the provisions of Title II and their applicability to the County's programs, services, and activities. Today's agreement is part of the Department's activities to honor the ADA's 25th Anniversary. Each month, the Justice Blog will highlight different ways that the ADA benefits people with disabilities. Today's entry in the Justice Blog features information about the Washington County settlement.