Officials announced that the U.S. Department of Justice has agreed with the city of Poplarville to improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities. The agreement, part of the department’s Project Civic Access initiative, ensures compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

According to federal officials, Poplarville will implement changes to its public facilities and programs, benefiting its residents—one in four of whom has a disability.

“Access to public programs, activities and services is critical to ensuring that individuals with disabilities can participate fully in their communities and civic life, and the ADA guarantees them that access,” said Thomas E. Perez, assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division. “The department is pleased that city officials have made this commitment.”

Under the agreement, the city will modify public buildings to make them accessible, including improving parking, entrances, restrooms, and service counters. Additional measures include providing accessible polling places, ensuring inclusive emergency management services, training employees using the Mississippi Relay Service, and installing proper signage for accessible entrances.

The city will also adopt a grievance procedure for disability discrimination complaints and implement the sheriff’s department’s policy on effective communication with deaf or hard-of-hearing people.

Project Civic Access was launched to bring local governments into full compliance with the ADA. Federal investigators, attorneys, and architects conduct on-site surveys to identify areas for improvement. The agreement with Poplarville is the 173rd reached under the initiative and the 12th this year.