Jails and prisons have seen a concerning rise in the incarceration of individuals with disabilities. This issue is predominantly driven by the presence of persistent barriers related to education, communication, economic opportunities, employment, and physical and psychiatric healthcare, compounded by the inadequate availability of community services. The correctional system is not necessarily equipped or educated to handle these populations that include inmates with chronic illnesses, traumatic brain injury, psychiatric conditions, intellectual/developmental disabilities, sensory, and other physical disabilities. Nevertheless, correctional systems must meet the challenges presented by this inmate population to ensure basic human, constitutional, and civil rights. This includes compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities, and incorporating ADA best practices that offer equal access and opportunity in all aspects of incarcerated life.
Visitors with disabilities frequently encounter barriers when attempting to visit an inmate due to the facility’s failure to accommodate their disabilities as required under the ADA. These obstacles encompass a range of issues such as inaccessible parking, entryways, and visitation areas. Moreover, there is often a lack of the provision of effective communication and necessary policy modifications and accommodations, which can also be essential for making the facility accessible to the visitor.
In response to these pressing issues, the Southwest ADA Center has developed the Americans with Disabilities Act Disability Related Access for Inmates and Visitors Practical Guide 2023. This comprehensive and constructive guide is specifically designed for use by local, state, and federal government correctional institutions, government-funded private detention facilities, and other various correctional contractors. Its primary purpose is to educate and train staff and contractors on their ADA and other civil rights responsibilities toward both inmates and visitors who have disabilities. The Guide can be used in a variety of ways to provide training and can also be utilized for self-study. The Guide also contains a wealth of invaluable resources that offer essential information and practical tools.