Palm Springs Art Museum Agrees to Comply With ADA by Improving Access for People Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

          LOS ANGELES – The Palm Springs Art Museum has entered into a voluntary agreement with the United States to resolve allegations that the museum violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to provide scripts for audio programs or properly functioning assistive-listening devices, as well as other auxiliary aids and services, to persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.

          Under the settlement agreement, the museum, which operates facilities in Palm Springs and Palm Desert, will provide equipment and services free of charge to ensure that people who are deaf or hard of hearing have full and equal enjoyment of all of the Museum’s exhibits, programs and activities in each of its locations.

          The agreement with the United States Attorney’s Office resolves allegations that the museum was violating Title III of the ADA, which prohibits discrimination by places of public accommodation against individuals with disabilities.

          The museum fully cooperated with the government’s investigation. Under the settlement agreement, the museum will provide, in general:

• Captions or transcripts for all audiovisual programs or audio-only programs in permanent exhibitions;

• Captions or transcripts for all temporary audiovisual programs if the museum has five or more days to make those arrangements;

• Sign language or oral interpreters, assistive-listening devices, or real-time captioning for public programs, touring exhibitions and special events for which the museum has no captions or transcripts, and upon advance request;

• Properly functioning assistive-listening devices;

• Advertisement of the availability of auxiliary aids and services;

• Designation of an ADA Compliance Officer; and

• Training on the ADA for supervisors and managers.

          This matter was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Monica L. Miller in the Civil Division. For more information on the ADA, including access to publications to assist entities with ADA compliance, please visit www.ADA.gov or call the Department of Justice’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TTY).