The Tennessee Department of Corrections has agreed to provide videophobia, sign language interpreters and other accommodations to deaf people in Tennessee prisons, and settled a five-year-old lawsuit alleging that the state’s treatment of deaf prisoners violated federal law.

Legal settlements also prohibit the department from punishing or punishing deaf prisoners for using sign language or failing to comply with orders that they cannot hear or understand. The department also agreed to provide hearing tests every three years to all inmates over the age of 65.

The lawsuit came just before the scheduled trial in the case, but came six months after a federal judge ruled in favor of deaf prisoners in many of their legal claims. In July, US District Judge Areta Trauger released a partial ruling that found the state violated the American Disabled Persons Act by failing to provide videophobia and sign language interpreters due to medical appointments, religious services, parole and prison discipline processes.

The lawyers who filed the suit said the settlement ensures that hearing impaired prisoners in Tennessee prisons have equal access to future communications.

“This settlement means that deaf prisoners in state facilities will have the opportunity to be educated, attend religious services and access to healthcare, which is crucial for rehabilitation and success after returning to society.”

The legal team also included Denver-based Fox & Robertson, Disability Rights Advocates and the Disability Act.

As part of the settlement, the Tennessee Department of Corrections has agreed to pay $7,000 in damages to each of the three inmates who participated in the lawsuit. The department also agreed to pay $3.25 million in legal fees.

The department “does not admit violations of the law and will not admit fraud,” the settlement said.

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