For the six weeks Abreham Zemedagegehu — an Ethiopian deaf man charged with theft — was jailed in Arlington County, he was not given access to a sign language interpreter. This caused him to miss meals, recreation times and announcements from his jailers, he alleged in his complaint.
Zemedagegehu, who speaks with American Sign Language, has limited English writing skills and was homeless, said that he didn’t know why he was being detained and was not given access to his medication or phone calls.
