FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CR
THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 1999
WWW.USDOJ.GOV
TDD (202) 514-1888
WISCONSIN DRIVING SCHOOL TO SETTLE ALLEGATIONS OF
DISCRIMINATION, UNDER AGREEMENT WITH JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A private driving school that allegedly refused to provide a sign
language interpreter during a driver's training course, will now provide sign language interpreting
services to all deaf students, under an agreement reached today with the Justice Department.
Today's agreement resolves a complaint filed in March 1997, by Evelyn Olson, whose son, Justin, is deaf, alleging that the Wold Driving School violated Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by refusing to provide a sign language interpreter when requested. The school, based in Wausau, Wisconsin, argued that a person who is deaf could successfully complete the driver's education course by studying videos, written tests and worksheets.
This is the Justice Department's first agreement that addresses the provisions of Title III of the ADA requiring "effective communication" in order to protect the rights of student drivers who are deaf or hard of hearing.
"No American should be denied an opportunity to learn effectively, just because they happen to have a disability," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Bill Lann Lee. "After today's agreement, student drivers with hearing disabilities will be able to learn under teaching conditions similar to those offered to other students."
The ADA requires that public accommodations, like a driving school, take steps that are necessary to provide effective communication for all persons, unless doing so would result in an undue financial burden. The public accommodation must ensure that individuals with disabilities are not excluded, denied services, segregated or otherwise treated differently because of the absence of auxiliary aids and services. Auxiliary aid and services include things such as qualified sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, and telecommunications devices for the deaf (TDD's).
Under the agreement, Wold Driving School will:
establish a nondiscrimination policy and highlight it in all print materials used by the school to advertise its services;
train all instructional staff on the requirements of the ADA and the specific requirements of the agreement;
certify with the Justice Department that it has taken the corrective steps required by the terms of the settlement agreement; and,
pay damages in the amount of $750 to Justin Olson.
People interested in finding out more about the ADA or today's agreement 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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