Source: https://www.ada.gov/nypd.htm
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 06:47:48+00:00

Document:
This Settlement Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into pursuant to 28 C.F.R. § 35.172.
In consideration for the NYPD's performance of its obligations under this Agreement, the United States agrees to refrain from undertaking further investigation or from filing a civil suit based on the complaints described above.
The NYPD has adopted the Interim Order to the NYPD's Patrol Guide entitled "Interaction with Hearing Impaired Persons." A copy of the Interim Order is attached as Exhibit A. This Interim Order has been made available to all members of the Police Department.
"Auxiliary aids and services" will mean qualified interpreters, note takers, transcription services, written materials, telephone handset amplifiers, assistive listening devices, telephones compatible with hearing aids, closed caption decoders, open and closed captioning, Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDDs), videotext displays, or other effective methods of making aurally delivered materials available to individuals with hearing impairments. See 28 C.F.R. § 35.104.
"Disability" and "Qualified individuals with a disability" will be defined as they are in the ADA, 42 U.S.C. § 12102(2), and 42 U.S.C. § 12131(2), respectively.
"Qualified interpreter" will mean and refer to a sign language or oral interpreter who is able to interpret effectively, accurately, and impartially, both receptively and expressively, using any necessary specialized vocabulary. Accordingly, an interpreter must be able to sign to the deaf individual (or interpret orally to the person who does not use sign language) what is being said by the hearing person and to voice to the hearing person what is being signed or said by the deaf individual. The interpreter must be able to interpret in the language the deaf person uses (e.g., American Sign Language or Signed English) and must be familiar with terms and phrases commonly used during booking and detention. Additionally, although a qualified interpreter may be certified, a certified interpreter is not necessarily qualified, if he or she is not a good communications match for the deaf person (e.g., where the deaf person uses Signed English and the interpreter uses American Sign Language) or the situation (e.g., where the interpreter is unfamiliar with the necessary specialized vocabulary).
"Effective communication" will mean communication with persons with disabilities that is as effective as communication with others. Effective communication is achieved by furnishing appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary to afford qualified individuals with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in or benefit from the services, programs, or activities of a public entity.
Continue to ensure that its services, programs and activities are accessible to qualified individuals with hearing impairments, as required by 28 C.F.R. § 35.161, through the use of appropriate auxiliary aids and services, including, but not limited to, the City of New York's "311" non-emergency system (TTY No. 212-504-4115), via the nationwide Telecommunications Relay Service "711", or qualified sign language interpreters. In a situation where the NYPD would allow a person access to a telephone, the NYPD shall provide qualified individuals with hearing impairments the opportunity to place calls through the use of appropriate auxiliary aids and services, including, but not limited to, qualified sign language interpreters.
Continue to provide, at no cost to the qualified individual with a hearing impairment, appropriate auxiliary aids and services, including, but not limited to, qualified interpreters, when necessary to provide effective communication to qualified individuals with hearing impairments. See Exhibit A. In determining whether a qualified interpreter is required, consideration should be given to the nature and importance of the communication at issue, the complexity or length of the communication, and such other factors as are appropriate within the discretion of the NYPD. The NYPD shall continue to maintain a list of "on-call" qualified sign language interpreters who are available 24 hours a day. The NYPD shall provide a qualified sign language interpreter within a reasonable time after the request is made. Sign language services, whether through use of the NYPD's "on-call" list or though the New York Citywide Contract, shall be available 24 hours a day.
Give primary consideration to the requests of qualified individuals with hearing impairments in determining what type of auxiliary aid or service is necessary. "Primary consideration" means that the NYPD will defer to the individual's request, consistent with the NYPD's duties pursuant to 28 C.F.R. § 35.164.
The NYPD will provide notice of the availability of auxiliary aids and services for qualified individuals with hearing impairments through the distribution of pamphlets, posters or other appropriate means, including, but not limited to "The Americans with Disabilities Act What You Should Know," attached hereto as Exhibit B.
Annually either attend a seminar concerning a public entity's obligations under Title II of the ADA, or view an educational video concerning a public entity's obligations under Title II of the ADA. The United States shall provide a list of seminars and videos which shall be acceptable to the United States, which list shall include the video program entitled "Police Response to People With Disabilities," available online at: www.ada.gov/policeinfo.htm. This list shall be provided to the NYPD, attention the Deputy Commissioner, Equal Employment Opportunity within thirty (30) days of the execution of this Agreement and annually thereafter.
The NYPD has adopted the Administrative Guide Procedure No. 308-06: Grievance Procedure for Members of the Public with Disabilities, attached hereto as Exhibit C, as amended, in connection with this Agreement (the "ADA Grievance Procedure"). The NYPD has published this procedure and amendment. Within thirty (30) days of the effective date of this Agreement, the NYPD will post a copy of the Notice entitled "The Americans with Disabilities Act What You Should Know," attached hereto as Exhibit B in those places where notices to the public, employees and job applicants are normally posted. A copy of Exhibit B will also be provided to any person upon request. If a qualified individual with a hearing impairment files a written grievance with the NYPD's ADA Coordinator, in accordance with the ADA Grievance Procedure, the ADA Coordinator will attempt to resolve the grievance according to the procedures set forth in the ADA Grievance Procedure.
A brief, general description of the nature of how each grievance was resolved.
The Student Assessment Guide, entitled, "The Americans with Disabilities Act and Law Enforcement," attached hereto as Exhibit E.
The NYPD will report annually to the United States on compliance with this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 8, herein. If the United States believes that this Agreement or any portion of it has been violated, within four months of receiving notice of an alleged violation, the United States will notify the undersigned counsel in writing and provide the basis and evidence for the claim of noncompliance. Within thirty (30) days of such notice, counsel for the parties shall meet and confer in an attempt to resolve the issue or issues in good faith. The United States will give the NYPD forty-five (45) days from the date that it notifies the NYPD of any breach of this Agreement to cure that breach, prior to instituting court action, if any. This forty-five (45) day period may be extended by agreement of the parties. If the parties are unable to reach a satisfactory resolution of the issue or issues raised, the United States may, if necessary, take steps to enforce the terms of this Agreement, and the NYPD may oppose.
This Agreement is neither an admission by the NYPD of any violation of the ADA, nor an admission by the United States of the merits of any of the NYPD's potential defenses.
The NYPD shall not discriminate or retaliate against any person because of his or her participation in this matter.
This Agreement is a public document.
The Effective Date of this Agreement is the date of the last signature on the Agreement.
The term of this Agreement is three (3) years from the Effective Date.
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties relating to the complaints, and no other statement, promise, or agreement, either written or oral, made by either party or agents of either party, that is not contained in this Agreement, shall be enforceable.

References: § 35
 § 35
 § 12102
 § 12131
 § 35
 § 35