ADA BEHIND BARS
Legal Requirements. Practical Solutions. Safer Correctional Operations.
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Training Academy
Understanding the ADA in Modern Corrections
The Americans with Disabilities Act affects virtually every aspect of jail operations, from intake and classification to housing, healthcare, discipline, communication, and access to programs and services.
Correctional agencies face complex responsibilities involving individuals with physical disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and communication limitations.
ADA Behind Bars is an intensive 2.5-day educational program designed for corrections professionals who must translate federal disability requirements into workable policies, defensible decisions, and effective daily operations.
Participants will examine applicable federal law, significant Ninth Circuit decisions, practical operational scenarios, and strategies for identifying and addressing ADA compliance risks.
Why Should Your Agency Attend?
ADA compliance is not simply a matter of having a written policy. It requires correctional personnel to recognize disability-related needs, make legally appropriate decisions, document their actions, and ensure meaningful access to correctional programs and services.
Understand Your Legal Obligations
Examine ADA Title II requirements, federal regulations, and judicial decisions affecting correctional facilities.
Reduce Preventable Litigation Risks
Identify practices that can lead to disability discrimination claims, costly litigation, and corrective action.
Improve Operational Decision-Making
Develop practical approaches for identifying accommodation needs, addressing safety considerations, and documenting individualized decisions.
Strengthen Agency-Wide Compliance
Improve coordination among command staff, supervisors, custody personnel, medical providers, and ADA coordinators.
Identify Compliance Gaps
Use Shield's ADA Compliance Self-Assessment to examine potential weaknesses in policies, procedures, and operations.
Leave With Practical Resources
Receive exclusive guides, checklists, and implementation tools to support continued improvement after the program.
What You Will Learn
This program combines legal instruction, corrections operations analysis, practical examples, and implementation strategies.
1. ADA Legal Foundations
- Title II requirements for correctional facilities
- Federal regulations and applicable standards
- Meaningful access and disability discrimination
- Significant Ninth Circuit decisions
- Agency responsibilities and potential liability
2. Disability Recognition and Accommodation
- Recognizing disability-related needs
- Requests for reasonable modifications
- Individualized assessments
- Effective communication
- Documentation of accommodation decisions
3. Intake, Classification, and Housing
- ADA considerations during intake
- Housing and classification decisions
- Accessibility of facilities and services
- Mobility devices and assistive equipment
- Access to correctional programs
4. Medical and Mental Health Considerations
- Physical, psychiatric, and intellectual disabilities
- Coordination with medical and mental health staff
- Disability-related behaviors
- Communication and cognitive limitations
- Operational challenges involving vulnerable inmates
5. Discipline, Safety, and Security
- ADA considerations in disciplinary decisions
- Disability-related conduct
- Safety and security assessments
- Individualized decision-making
- Documentation and supervisory review
6. Policies, Training, and Risk Reduction
- ADA policies and operational procedures
- Staff training and supervisory responsibilities
- Accommodation request processes
- Complaint and grievance procedures
- Compliance monitoring and corrective action
Who Should Attend?
ADA Behind Bars is designed for personnel who establish correctional policies, supervise facility operations, make disability-related decisions, or provide services to incarcerated individuals.
Correctional Leadership
- Sheriffs and jail administrators
- Correctional command staff
- Facility managers
- Captains, lieutenants, and supervisors
Compliance and Legal Personnel
- ADA coordinators
- County and agency legal advisers
- Risk managers
- Policy and accreditation personnel
Operational Personnel
- Correctional officers
- Classification personnel
- Training officers
- Professional standards personnel
Healthcare and Support Services
- Correctional healthcare administrators
- Medical and mental health personnel
- Behavioral health professionals
- Personnel coordinating disability services
Exclusive Guides, Checklists, and Implementation Resources
Registered attendees receive access to practical ADA compliance resources designed to translate classroom instruction into everyday correctional operations.
These resources provide continuing value after training and can assist agencies in evaluating policies, improving procedures, and supporting staff decision-making.
ADA Compliance Guides
Reference materials addressing important legal requirements, correctional responsibilities, and operational considerations.
Operational Checklists
Practical tools for evaluating procedures involving accommodations, communication, documentation, and access to services.
Policy Review Resources
Materials to assist agencies in identifying subjects that should be addressed in ADA policies and operating procedures.
Implementation Tools
Resources to help administrators and supervisors convert training concepts into practical action items.
ADA Compliance Self-Assessment and Individualized Shield Analysis
Participating agencies receive a structured ADA Compliance Self-Assessment and individualized analysis from Shield Public Safety Training at no additional charge.
Go Beyond Training. Evaluate Your Agency's Practices.
Shield Public Safety Training will provide participating agencies with a structured ADA compliance self-assessment designed specifically for correctional operations.
The self-assessment helps agencies examine their existing policies, procedures, and operational practices against important ADA compliance considerations.
Areas Evaluated May Include:
- ADA policies and procedures
- ADA coordinator responsibilities
- Identification of disability-related needs
- Reasonable modification procedures
- Effective communication
- Intake and classification procedures
- Housing and facility accessibility
- Access to programs and services
- Medical and mental health coordination
- Grievance and complaint procedures
- Staff training and supervisory oversight
- Documentation and compliance monitoring
Individualized Analysis by Shield
After a participating agency completes and submits its self-assessment, Shield will analyze the information and provide individualized written feedback.
The analysis is designed to help agencies:
- Identify potential ADA compliance gaps.
- Recognize policies and procedures that may require further evaluation.
- Prioritize areas for operational improvement.
- Identify additional staff training needs.
- Develop practical next steps toward stronger ADA compliance.
Included at No Additional Charge
One self-assessment and individualized analysis is available per participating agency. The assessment is an educational and operational risk-identification resource, not a formal ADA audit, legal opinion, certification of compliance, or guarantee against future claims. Findings are based on information provided by the participating agency.
Tuition and Agency Registration
Shield offers individual and agency registration options to encourage participation from correctional professionals across multiple disciplines.
Available through February 26, 2027.
Beginning February 27, 2027.
Three or more attendees from the same agency.
Every participating agency receives an ADA Compliance Self-Assessment and individualized Shield Analysis at no additional charge.
One assessment and analysis per participating agency.
Location and Training Schedule
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Training Academy
2627 S. 35th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85009
View Location and Driving Directions →
All times are local Phoenix time. Additional logistical information will be provided to registrants.
Questions About ADA Behind Bars?
Questions regarding registration, agency pricing, program content, or attendance may be directed to Shield Public Safety Training.
Transforming understanding into action.
shieldpst.org