Public Policy
Ariel Simms
Senior Program Manager & Attorney, Access, Equity, & Inclusion
The Arc of the United States
Leigh Ann Davis
Director, Criminal Justice Initiatives
The Arc
Steve Gordon
Assistant United States Attorney
United States Department of Justice
Reginald Thomas
Criminal Justice & Disability Fellow
The Arc of the United States
Individuals with disabilities are far more likely to have interactions with every aspect of state and local criminal justice systems and have many unique challenges when interacting with these entities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires state and local law enforcement, legal professionals, and correctional facilities to ensure that individuals with disabilities are able to take advantage of services provided by these governmental entities, as well as ensure effective communication. Whether criminal justice professionals are interacting with crime victims, witnesses, arrestees, detainees, or just members of the public, they are required to take steps to ensure that individuals with disabilities are able to fully participate in the justice system. This presentation will focus on the ADA’s legal principles requiring equal treatment by state and local justice systems, including law enforcement and corrections, overviews of the applicable ADA regulations, helpful resources, and case law. The session will also provide a brief overview of The Arc’s National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability® and its innovative Pathways to Justice® program.