By Cynthia Dizikes
The Chicago Tribune
CHICAGO — A group of hearing-impaired prisoners are suing the Illinois Department of Corrections, claiming the agency has discriminated against them by refusing to provide interpreters, technological assistance and other alternate forms of communication.
The prisoners cannot hear fire alarms and other safety alerts and orders, forcing them to depend on other inmates, according to the federal class action lawsuit filed Wednesday in Chicago.
In some cases, prisoners say they have missed meals and visitors because they could not hear announcements.
Full Story: Hearing-impaired inmates sue for more services