FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          CR
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 1997                           (202) 616-2765
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888

   JUSTICE DEPARTMENT REACHES AGREEMENT WITH TENNESSEE CITY TO
           SETTLE PARAMEDIC'S DISCRIMINATION CHARGE 

     WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The metropolitan government of Nashville
and Davidson County will change its hiring policies after it
allegedly discriminated against a partially deaf paramedic by
denying him a job solely based on his disability, under an
agreement with the Justice Department.

     The agreement, filed today in U.S. District Court in
Nashville, was reached under the 1990 Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA). It resolves allegations that the Metro Fire Department
denied Jeffrey Ola, who is deaf in one ear, a position as a
paramedic based on a policy which categorically excluded
individuals with certain medical conditions, regardless of their
abilities to perform job functions.

     "Public servants should be hired based on their
qualifications, not on stereotypes," said Isabelle Katz Pinzler,
Acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. "Any other
policy keeps qualified, talented people out of jobs they
deserve."

     Ola had been working for several years as an EMT-paramedic
in nearby Sumner County, where he had performed successfully and
experienced no problems due to his hearing.  However, according
to a complaint lodged with the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission (EEOC), in early 1994,  his application for a similar
position with the Metro Fire Department was refused without
regard for his experience or abilities.  The refusal was based on
a policy which barred any consideration of individuals with
hearing disabilities for EMT positions.   

     After making a finding of discrimination, the EEOC referred
the matter to the Justice Department who then entered into
negotiations with the metropolitan government.

       Under the agreement, the city will:   

     *    hire Mr. Ola as an EMT-paramedic beginning today;

     *    establish a policy which will ensure that individuals
          are evaluated based on their abilities without applying
          categorical standards based on medical conditions; and,

     *    pay Mr. Ola approximately $54,000 in back pay and
          compensatory damages.

     The agreement must be approved by the court.

     Title I of the ADA requires that employers individually
assess each job applicant to determine that person's current
ability to perform a job function.  Under the law, medical exams
may be imposed by employers only after the applicant has been
given a job offer, and any determinations based on medical exams
must be job-related and consistent with business necessity.

     Those interested in finding out more about the law can
access the Department's ADA Home page on the World Wide Web at
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm or call the ADA
Information line at (800) 514-0301 (voice) or (800) 514-0383
(TDD).
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