Deaf Prisoners Sue Over Lack of Access to Sign Language Video Calls via Tablets

Deaf prisoners across the United States are facing significant barriers in accessing communication technology designed to improve connections between incarcerated individuals and their families. Daniel Valenzuela, a deaf inmate at Danville Correctional Center in Illinois, has filed a lawsuit against the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) for violating the Americans with Disabilities Act by blocking videophone capabilities on tablets distributed to all inmates.

Valenzuela's case highlights a broader issue affecting thousands of deaf prisoners nationwide. According to a 2015 report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 6.2% of incarcerated individuals in state and federal prisons have hearing disabilities, equating to about 71,000 people. Despite this significant population, many prison systems are failing to provide equal access to communication technology for deaf inmates.

In Illinois, where IDOC distributed tablets to all prisoners last year, Valenzuela faces additional hurdles due to the lack of videophone capabilities on these devices. This means he must obtain permission from guards to use a single videophone located in another building, often under challenging conditions such as inclement weather or when the facility is on lockdown.

Valenzuela's attorney, Rachel Weisberg of Disability Rights Advocates, emphasizes that the lawsuit seeks equal access for deaf prisoners who primarily communicate through American Sign Language (ASL). "Across the Illinois Department of Corrections, people can use tablets to communicate with their loved ones, which has been a game changer in removing restrictions on communication," said Weisberg. "But for Mr. Valenzuela and other deaf people who use ASL, that same access simply isn’t available."

The IDOC's initiative to provide free domestic phone call minutes to all incarcerated individuals further exacerbates the disparity faced by deaf prisoners. While hearing inmates can easily make calls from their cells using tablets or backup phones if the primary device malfunctions, Valenzuela must rely on a single videophone that is often unavailable due to technical issues or administrative restrictions.

The lawsuit argues that denying access to video communication tools not only isolates deaf prisoners but also undermines their ability to maintain family connections and participate in rehabilitation programs. "When prison officials don’t communicate with deaf/disabled people in ways they can understand, they may be written up for being ‘non-compliant,'" the complaint notes.

IDOC did not respond to a request for comment at the time of publication, leaving questions about their commitment to addressing these issues and providing equal access to communication technologies. As more prisons adopt tablet-based systems, it is crucial that disability rights are prioritized to ensure all incarcerated individuals can benefit from technological advancements in prison communications.

The case underscores the need for systemic changes across U.S. correctional facilities to accommodate deaf prisoners and uphold their legal right to effective communication under the Americans with Disabilities Act.