U.S. Reaches ADA Settlement with Village of Byesville, OHIO

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The United States has reached a settlement agreement with the Village of Byesville, Ohio in Guernsey County after initiating a compliance review under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Benjamin C. Glassman, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, announced the settlement finalized last week.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio initiated a compliance review in the village after receiving a citizen complaint stating that many buildings and facilities in the village were inaccessible to individuals with disabilities.

Specifically, the review included: the Byesville Village Hall, sidewalks and curb cuts near the Village Hall, the Byesville Village Park and Byesville Water Treatment Plant. Based on its review, the United States concluded that qualified individuals with disabilities are excluded from participation in or denied the benefits of many of Byesville’s programs, services or activities.

The settlement agreement sets out general and specific remedies, which include making facilities readily accessible to individuals with disabilities, by making modifications to sidewalks, curb ramps, entry and internal doors, signage, door knobs, counters, maneuvering clearance, restrooms and the parking lot at Village Hall, among other things.

Changes to be made at the Village Park will include accessible parking spaces with signage, modifications to the vending machines and accessible routes to picnic tables, benches, drinking fountains, park shop, park pavilion and gazebo.

Remedies at the Water Treatment Plant include modifications to the restroom and parking lot spaces, slope and access.

“This settlement represents our commitment both to ensuring full compliance with the ADA and working cooperatively with local governments and businesses to guarantee that compliance, thereby ensuring equal access for all Americans,” Acting U.S. Attorney Glassman said.

The agreement will remain in effect for three years and is effective immediately.

Acting U.S. Attorney Glassman commended Byesville Mayor Jay Jackson and Brennan Dudley, Village Administrator, for their cooperation, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Stark and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah M. Wolfe, who are representing the United States in this matter. He also recognized the efforts of Department of Justice Division of Civil Rights Attorney Elizabeth Johnson and Department of Justice Architect Thomas Fodor.