FACT SHEET

Settlement Agreement between the United States of America and Gregg County, Texas

On July 28, 2009, the Department of Justice entered into a settlement agreement with Gregg County, Texas, under title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12131-12134, and the Department's implementing regulation, 28 C.F.R. Part 35, as well as section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794, and the Department's implementing regulation, 28 C.F.R. Part 42, Subpart G.

The Department of Justice initiated a compliance review of Gregg County in September, 2006, as part of Project Civic Access, a Departmental initiative to ensure greater access for persons with disabilities to local government programs, services, activities, and facilities. An on-site survey of the County buildings and services was conducted on December 4-7, 2006. Facilities covered by the agreement include: Gregg County Jail North Annex, Marvin A. Smith Criminal Justice Center, and Gregg County Courthouse. The Department also reviewed the County's emergency management procedures, employment policies, sidewalks, and its 9-1-1 emergency services.

In addition, the Department reviewed access for persons with disabilities to Gregg's programs, services, and activities operating in the following facilities: Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Station, Easton Community Center, Eldersville Community Center, Garfield Hill Community Center, Gladewater City Hall (Polling Only), Gladewater Commerce Street Building, Gregg County Airport, Hugh Camp Park, Judson Community Building, Kilgore Office and Community Building, Liberty City Office Building, Longview Eastman Road Building, Olivia R. Hilburn Community Building, Road and Bridge-Precinct 1- Commissioner's Office, Road and Bridge- Precinct 2- Commissioner's Office (Community Center and Tax Office Attached to Building), Road and Bridge-Precinct 3- Commissioner's Office, Road and Bridge-Precinct 4- Commissioner's Office, Service Center Building, South Street Community Center (Polling Only), and Youth Detention Center.

County staff worked cooperatively with the Department throughout the investigation in order to reach a settlement agreement.

The text of the settlement agreement specifies the modifications Gregg County will be making to its programs, services, and facilities. Among other things, the County has agreed to:

• Make physical modifications to its facilities so that parking, routes into the buildings, entrances, public telephones, restrooms, service counters, and drinking fountains are accessible to people with disabilities;
• Post, publish, and distribute a notice to inform members of the public of the provisions of Title II;
• Ensure that the County's official website is accessible to people with disabilities;
• Take steps to ensure that all appropriate employees are trained and practiced in using the Texas Relay Service to make and receive calls;.
• Continue to maintain its data base that tracks sidewalk tripping hazzards and other barriers to accessibility;
• Ensure equal access to its emergency management programs for persons with disabilities, including preparation, notification, response, and clean up;
• Develop a method for providing information for interested persons with disabilities concerning the existence and location of the County's accessible services, activities, and programs;
• Install signs at any inaccessible entrance to a facility directing users to an accessible entrance or to information about other accessible facilities.

The settlement agreement will remain in effect for 3 years from July 28, 2009, or until all required actions have been completed, whichever is later.

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