U.S. Attorney's Office Settles Americans with Disabilities Act Case with 360 Federal Credit Union

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has reached a settlement with 360 Federal Credit Union to ensure equal access for individuals with disabilities at all 360 Federal Credit Union locations, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”).

The agreement resolves an ADA complaint filed by an individual who is hard of hearing who alleged that 360 Federal Credit Union would not accept his video relay calls.  Since the commencement of the investigation, 360 Federal Credit Union has worked cooperatively to develop and amend its policies and practices to comply with the ADA and the Department of Justice’s implementing regulations.

“Individuals who have disabilities must not be denied equal access to the services offered by financial institutions simply because of their disability,” said U.S. Attorney Daly.  “360 Federal Credit Union’s cooperation during this investigation has shown that it is committed to equal access and effective communication with its customers who have disabilities.”

Under the agreement, 360 Federal Credit Union will pay a small monetary sum to compensate the individual for the expenses he incurred as a result of the credit union’s failure to accept his video relay calls.  The agreement also requires 360 Federal Credit Union to accept video relay calls in all of its credit union locations and amend its policies, practices, and training to ensure the removal of barriers to access at its branch offices.

Title III of the ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities by businesses that serve the public. Among other things, the ADA requires financial institutions, accountants, lawyers, doctors and other businesses to provide auxiliary aids and services that are necessary for effective communication.  For individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, auxiliary aids include qualified sign language or oral interpreters, use of relay services, computer-assisted real time transcription, and, for simple communications, the exchange of written notes.

Individuals who believe that they may have been victims of discrimination can file a complaint with the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 203-821-3700.   More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt.  Additional information about the ADA can be found at www.ada.gov, or by calling the Department’s toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 and (800) 514-0383 (TDD).

This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ndidi N. Moses with the assistance of the Disability Rights Section of the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.