Smith County has entered into a settlement agreement to address violations of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as announced by Eastern District of Texas U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. The agreement resolves issues related to the county's election website, which was found to discriminate against individuals with vision or manual disabilities.
“The Eastern District of Texas is committed to ensuring that all eligible voters, including those with disabilities, can access critical election information,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. “By entering into this settlement agreement, Smith County has taken a significant step towards removing barriers and promoting inclusivity on their election websites. This ensures that voters in the Eastern District of Texas with impairments are not disenfranchised and can fully participate in the democratic process."
Smith County's election website provides vital information about voting, including registration requirements, identification requirements, and voting information for people with disabilities. It also links to details about early voting and election day voting.
Under the settlement agreement, Smith County will ensure all future and existing online election content is accessible to people with disabilities. The county will hire an independent auditor to evaluate website accessibility, solicit comments and requests about any accessibility barriers, designate an employee to coordinate efforts, revise procedures, and train relevant personnel.
This investigation is part of the Department of Justice’s ADA Voting Initiative, which protects the voting rights of individuals with disabilities. The settlement is also part of the Department of Justice’s Tech Equity Initiative, aimed at combating disability discrimination through technology.
The Eastern District of Texas remains dedicated to enforcing the ADA.
To read more about the ADA and how it applies to voting, please visit Voting and Polling Places.
