FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CR

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1998

(202) 616-2765

WWW.USDOJ.GOV

TDD (202) 514-1888

AIRLIE FOUNDATION AGREES TO SETTLE ALLEGATIONS THAT

CONFERENCE FACILITIES VIOLATE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Visitors with disabilities will be able to participate in conferences and other events at one of the nation's oldest conference centers, under an agreement reached today with the Justice Department and Virginia's Airlie Conference Center.

Today's agreement resolves a complaint filed with the Justice Department by a Virginia man who alleged that the Airlie Conference Center in Warrenton violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). According to the complaint, the man was unable to find accessible toilet facilities while attending an event at the center.

The Airlie Center covers a hilly 100-acre campus and includes a number of older buildings that have been renovated over time to serve as meeting and sleeping facilities.

"Today's agreement will allow professionals with disabilities to participate in career-enhancing conferences and training opportunities just like their non-disabled peers," said Bill Lann Lee, Acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights.

As a result of the agreement, the Airlie Foundation, which owns and operates the facility, will construct an addition to Airlie House that will have an elevator, accessible toilet facilities, and an accessible conference room. Upon completion of the addition, which must occur no later than June 30, 1999, visitors to Airlie House will have access to all major facilities in the building, including the main dining room and Airlie Center's largest conference room. The Airlie House is a turn-of-the-century structure that has been expanded over time to include nine separate levels.

The Foundation also has agreed to make access improvements to facilities campus-wide, such as providing accessible parking, and to develop policies that will allow guests with mobility impairments to travel comfortably between campus buildings. It also has agreed to pay $2000 in damages to the complainant.

The Foundation made numerous changes during the Justice Department's investigation, such as adding fully accessible guest rooms.

"The Airlie Foundation should be recognized for its efforts to improve access for all conference participants," added Mr. Lee

Airlie Center is used by a wide variety of groups in the Washington Metropolitan area, including governmental, academic, and non-profit organizations.

Title III of the ADA requires that places of public accommodation, such as conferences centers, be accessible to persons with disabilities.

Individuals who are interested in more information about the Americans with Disabilities Act can call the toll-free ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383/TDD or access the ADA home page at http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm

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