U.S. Attorney’S Office Reaches Settlement With Mills College Over Compliance With Americans With Disabilities Act

SAN FRANCISCO – Mills College, a liberal arts college for women in Oakland, Calif., entered an agreement with the United States to bring its campus into full compliance with Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, United States Attorney Melinda Haag announced.

The settlement agreement resolves an investigation and compliance review of barriers to access by individuals with disabilities in buildings throughout the campus. Mills College fully cooperated in the review. The College agreed to remove all architectural barriers in its existing facilities, and to undertake alterations and construct new facilities so that they are readily accessible to and usable by people with disabilities.

“The ADA requires that people with disabilities have full access to public and private institutions,” U.S. Attorney Haag said . “We commend Mills College for its cooperation and commitment to providing people with disabilities unfettered access to its facilities. This agreement guarantees students and visitors with disabilities such access for years to come.”

Under the settlement, Mills is required to remedy approximately 260 separate violations that were revealed in a campus-wide survey conducted in March 2010. Mills is required to complete the majority of the remedial work by the end of 2014, while it will have a longer time to complete others. Remedial measures required under the agreement include installing or moving grab bars, towel dispensers, and signs; adjusting the force required to open doors; installing or adjusting the slope of ramps; installing accessible toilet stalls, and adjusting the height and center lines of existing toilet seats; adjusting the height of equipment and lab counters; adjusting the height of drinking fountains; making lecture halls, auditoriums, and the gymnasium fully wheelchair accessible; installing handrails; and installing more van-accessible parking.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven J. Saltiel handled the matter on behalf of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, together with Program Architect Diane Perry from the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section.

(Mills College Signed Settlement Agreement )