Bellefonte must have sign language interpreter at public meetings after settling with DOJ
A settlement made public Friday requires Bellefonte to make its public meetings more accessible for those who are hard of hearing, an agreement reached after a woman alleged the borough may be in violation of the federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability
The borough must make a qualified sign language interpreter available at all its public meetings, the Justice Department announced Friday. It was also required to designate a coordinator to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
“The right to participate, attend, or watch public local government meetings is a fundamental right in a democracy, and those with hearing disabilities cannot be excluded,” U.S. Attorney Gerard Karam said in a statement. “This agreement ensures that individuals with disabilities in the Borough will now have an ADA Coordinator who can answer questions, accept accommodations requests like auxiliary aides for council meetings, and receive disability complaints.”
The borough signed off the settlement Wednesday, borough Manager Ralph Stewart wrote in an email. Julie Brooks was appointed to serve as the borough’s ADA coordinator.
It’s not yet known what costs the borough may have may to cover.
“The Borough, without delay, agreed to the settlement with the Department of Justice,” Stewart wrote. “We have always strived to accommodate anyone who wants to attend our meetings.”
The Justice Department launched its investigation after a woman with a hearing disability said the borough neither provided her with an auxiliary device during an in-person council meeting nor had an interpreter for the taped broadcast.
The borough also did not have a way for people with disabilities to request accommodations or file complaints. The Justice Department found the woman’s complaint had merit.
Bellefonte cooperated with the investigation, the Justice Department wrote in a statement. The next Borough Coucil meeting is scheduled for Dec. 18.
This story was originally published December 8, 2023 at 1:17 PM.