The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has accused Arizona’s Department of Child Safety (DCS) of violating anti-discrimination laws under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In a statement released on December 16, the DOJ outlined findings that DCS failed to accommodate the needs of parents, foster parents, caregivers, and children with disabilities.
“Under the ADA, parents and children with disabilities are entitled to fair and equal treatment by child welfare agencies,” Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said in a prepared statement.
The DOJ investigation found DCS:
- Failed to provide interpreters for parents and children with hearing disabilities.
- Did not offer simplified information or other accommodations for parents with disabilities.
- Denied parents with disabilities equal access to DCS programs and services.
The DOJ has provided DCS with a list of required corrective actions.
DCS issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to supporting families with disabilities and announced steps it is taking to address the concerns:
- Acknowledging receipt of the DOJ’s findings from the nearly five-year investigation.
- Committing to collaborate with the DOJ to resolve any legal violations.
- Highlighting the August 2023 hiring of a dedicated ADA/LEP Coordinator to oversee compliance and protect families’ rights.
“The Civil Rights Division is committed to ensuring that unlawful discrimination does not interfere with a parent’s opportunity to stay with or be reunited with their child and that separations are not prolonged because a child welfare agency does not give parents the effective communication and reasonable accommodations that the ADA guarantees,” Clarke said.
Families who believe their rights have been violated can contact the DCS Office of the Ombudsman for assistance.
