The Chicago Police Department has appointed an officer dedicated to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. It is important to recall that during the recent unrest and protest during the Black Lives Matter campaign, there were number reports of rights abuse and ill-treatment of people with disabilities.
The appointment of Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance Officer is a step that the department says will help better understanding and following of reforms demanded under the consent decree.
Deborah Pascua, a retired police department veteran, is the first ADA compliance officer. In that role, she’ll be tasked with ensuring “meaningful access to CPD programs, services, and activities” for individuals with disabilities.
“Deborah will serve an instrumental role in ensuring our officers will have the clear policy, training, and direction needed to provide equal protection of the law for all Chicago residents who are living with disabilities,” said Deputy Superintendent Barbara West, who oversees the CPD Office of Constitutional Policing and Reform.
Pascua spent 27 years with the CPD and worked with the department on ADA issues since 1994.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the CPD was supposed to fill this new position by last August. But it didn’t even post the position until mid-December.
Amanda Antholt, an attorney with Equip for Equality – a non-profit that works to protect the rights of those with disabilities – said the group is thrilled that the police department has finally created and filled this role.
“The position is certainly much needed and, unfortunately, long overdue,” she told WTTW News, noting that federal laws have already required public entities to have ADA coordinators for years.
The consent decree – which brought federal oversight to the CPD – required numerous departmental reforms, including that it designate at least one member as an ADA liaison to ensure compliance with that act.
Pascua will work with the CPD’s Training Division and other units to provide a “comprehensive multi-dimensional ADA compliance plan” to comply with consent decree requirements.
In her new role, Pascua will also review the effectiveness of the CPD’s policies and training relating to individuals with disabilities and assist CPD members in providing “meaningful access” to police services for individuals with disabilities.
Nearly one in four Chicagoans report having some type of disability, according to city statistics.
