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ADA Contract Case Summaries

Minnesota: A person with a hearing disability complained that she could not hear what was happening
during the city council meetings. The city agreed to purchase an assistive listening system. They agreed
to issue a memo to all city council members requesting that they speak directly into the microphones
during the meetings. They agreed to pay the complainant $500 for attorneys fees and costs.

Florida: A person complained that a policy restricting the amount of time a person is allowed to spend
voting discriminated against people with disabilities. The voting official agreed to inform the public of the
exception to this policy for people with disabilities. She agreed to issue a public service announcement
to all media outlets. She agreed to educate poll workers about the exception. She agreed to develop a
web site to inform the public.

Texas: A wheelchair user complained that a restaurant did not have an accessible entrance, an accessible
restroom, or any accessible parking. The owner agreed to have a ramp created to the main entrance. He
agreed to have ramps created inside the restaurant to the restrooms and other public areas. He agreed to
modify the restrooms. He agreed to create three accessible parking spaces and reimburse the complainant
$66.00 for his cab fare.

New York: A wheelchair user complained that a theater was not accessible and did not have any accessible
restrooms. The representative of the theater agreed to create wheelchair accessible paths from each parking
lot. He agreed to create a ramp to the entrance of the building. He agreed to install railings next to the stairs
at the sides and back of the building. He agreed to create several wheelchair accessible spots in the theater.
Finally, he agreed to modify a restroom and make it accessible.

New Jersey: A wheelchair user complained that a banquet hall did not have an accessible restroom. The
owner agreed to modify the restroom.

Nebraska: A wheelchair user complained that a courthouse was not accessible. The representative of the
courthouse agreed to have the elevator modified so that it can be operated without calling for assistance.
He agreed to relocate any proceedings scheduled to occur on the second floor if a person with a disability is
unable to gain access. He agreed to post a sign to the accessible parking located near the jail and to post a
sign to the accessible entrance to the jail. He agreed to have sensitivity training provided for courthouse
employees. He agreed to have a disability rights organization do a survey of the courthouse. He agreed to
pay the complainant $500.00.

Illinois: A wheelchair user complained that a hotel did not have an accessible entrance and did not have any
accessible parking. The manager agreed to have accessible parking created in compliance with the ADAAG. He
agreed to have a ramp created at the entrance to the hotel. He agreed to reimburse the complainant $80.00
for her travel expenses.

Illinois: A deaf person complained that a lawyer refused to provide the services of a qualified sign language
interpreter for effective communication during a meeting. The lawyer agreed to change his policy and comply
with the ADA by paying for the services of qualified sign language interpreters for effective communication when
requested. The lawyer also agreed to donate $500.00 to a disability rights organization to create a seminar to
teach attorneys how to comply with the requirements of the ADA.

California: A wheelchair user complained that a transportation company charged him a higher fee because he
requested a wheelchair accessible van even though their advertising seemed to imply that wheelchair accessible
vans are available at the same price as regular cabs. The owner of the transportation company agreed to change
the advertisement so that no one will be confused about what is being offered. He agreed to institute a policy
whereby a wheelchair user will first be asked if stowing his wheelchair in the trunk of a regular cab will meet his
needs. If the wheelchair user’s answer is negative, he will then be provided with the names and numbers of several
sources of accessible transportation. If the wheelchair user chooses to use the services of the transportation company
and an accessible van and driver are available, he will be provided with service in an accessible van in lieu of a regular
cab at no additional charge. The owner agreed to pay the complainant $150 to compensate him for any bad feelings
resulting from the confusing advertisement. He agreed to continue to work with the complainant in the future regarding
transportation issues facing people with disabilities.

Nebraska: A deaf person complained that a dentist’s office refused to provide the services of a qualified sign language
interpreter for effective communication during an office visit. The dentist agreed to change the office policy and ensure
that her staff complies with the requirements of the ADA. She agreed to attend training on the requirements of the
ADA and training regarding sensitivity to people with disabilities. She agreed to work with a disabilities rights lawyer to
make four presentations before professional organizations regarding her experience and the requirements of the ADA.
She wrote a letter of apology to the complainant. She agreed to pay the complainant $100 for expenses and any
embarrassment suffered.

Illinois: Deaf people complained that an amusement park refused to provide the services of qualified sign language
interpreters for effective communication during a yearly conference. The manager agreed to provide the services of
qualified sign language interpreters for effective communication during the yearly conferences. He agreed to make four
TTY phones available throughout the park. He agreed to provide a table at the gate with brochures about the c
onference and to provide written information about the location of TTY phones. He agreed to have written scripts provided
for the shows. He agreed to provide the services of a qualified sign language interpreter for effective communication
during the train rides. He agreed to hire a permanent liaison to address the needs of deaf people. He agreed to establish
a group rate for everyone, hearing or otherwise, attending the conference. He agreed to provide the interpreters who
volunteer their services with four passes each to the park.

New Jersey: A wheelchair user complained that a restaurant did not have accessible parking that complied with the
ADAAG and the entrance to the dining room was not accessible. The manager agreed to have the accessible parking
space changed to comply with the ADAAG. He agreed to have an additional ramp created to the entrance to the restaurant.
He agreed to have the podium at the entrance to the dining room moved to provide access for wheelchair users. He agreed
to train the staff to maintain a clear path of travel between the accessible seating and the accessible restrooms. He
agreed to have a bell installed in the kitchen so that when a customer enters the restaurant, the staff is alerted.

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