Statement on DOJ Settlement Regarding ADA Compliance
Olympia, WA – The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) reached a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (US DOJ), resolving complaints related to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The two complaints addressed the agency's failure to provide sign language interpreter services to a parent who is deaf, as required by Title II of ADA. The incidents took place in 2017 and early 2018.[i]
"Once made aware of the complaints, DCYF fully cooperated with the investigation and acknowledged that mistakes and gaps in service existed," said DCYF Chief of Staff Frank Ordway. "The process with US DOJ has been focused on how we can serve families better. This work is very important to us. It reflects who we are as an agency."
DCYF is currently in the process of implementing the following initiatives:
- Establishing various ADA policies and practices
- Creating training modules for staff
- Coordinating with the Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH) to institute a streamlined approach for requesting and scheduling required interpreters' services
Prior to hiring an ADA coordinator, DCYF staff made significant efforts to address how staff could request an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter by working with ODHH. In addition, DCYF secured relevant contracts with appropriate agencies to provide in-person and on-demand virtual remote interpreting (VRI) services.
While this settlement predominantly pertains to individuals with communication disabilities, DCYF is committed to ensuring all its programs, services, and activities are inclusive and equitable for all individuals.
Individuals with a disability needing a reasonable modification, materials in alternate formats, or auxiliary aids or services (ASL Interpreter Services) should contact dcyf.adaaccessibility@dcyf.wa.gov or call the ADA coordinator at 360-480-7230; relay users dial 7-1-1.
[i] The Department of Children, Youth, and Families was established on July 1, 2018. It oversees several services previously offered through the Department of Early Learning and the Department of Social and Health Services, including child protective services.
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Media Contact:
Nancy Gutierrez
nancy.gutierrez@dcyf.wa.gov
360-789-3451
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