Case: DOJ Investigation North Carolina Deaf/Blind Prison Conditions
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Case Summary
The United States Department of Justice investigated the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (NCDAC) for allegedly discriminating against incarcerated individuals with hearing disabilities by failing to provide effective communication and reasonable modifications under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
After receiving multiple complaints from incarcerated individuals and Disability Rights North Carolina, the Department of Justice investigated conditions at twenty-two NCDAC correctional facilities. The investigation found allegations that NCDAC failed to provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services—including hearing aids, cochlear implant devices, qualified sign language interpreters, text telephones, and effective visual alert systems—and failed to reasonably modify its policies and practices, thereby limiting incarcerated individuals’ access to medical care, educational programs, counseling, religious services, and other prison services and activities.
On August 28, 2025, the United States and NCDAC entered into a settlement agreement resolving the investigation without litigation. The agreement required NCDAC to implement comprehensive policies to ensure effective communication for incarcerated individuals with hearing disabilities, including conducting hearing screenings and individualized communication assessments, developing communication plans, providing qualified interpreters and auxiliary aids at no cost, improving access to telecommunications technology, maintaining hearing aids and cochlear devices, installing visual notification systems, training staff, designating ADA coordinators, establishing centralized tracking of accommodations, and submitting compliance reports to the Department of Justice. In exchange, the Attorney General agreed to refrain from filing civil actions unless NCDAC fails to comply with the agreement’s implementation and enforcement provisions. The agreement remains in effect for three years (2029).
As of July 2026, the agreement remained in effect and subject to Department of Justice monitoring and enforcement.
Summary Authors
Niam Vora (7/27/2026)
Claire Pollard (3/29/2026)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Docket
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.Case Details
Case Type(s):
Healthcare Access and Reproductive Issues
Key Dates
Case Ongoing: Yes
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12111 et seq.
Other Dockets:
Available Documents:
Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief
Outcome
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Content of Injunction:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Staff (number, training, qualifications, wages)
Disability and Disability Rights:
TTY/Close Captioning/Videophone/etc.
Discrimination Basis:
Disability (inc. reasonable accommodations)
Medical/Mental Health Care:
Case Summary of DOJ Investigation North Carolina Deaf/Blind Prison Conditions, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/47992/ (last updated 3/29/2026).