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<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message -----
<DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A
title=Disability.Outreach@usdoj.gov
href="mailto:Disability.Outreach@usdoj.gov">Outreach , Disability (CRT)</A>
</DIV>
<DIV><B>To:</B> <A title=Mazen.Basrawi@usdoj.gov
href="mailto:Mazen.Basrawi@usdoj.gov">Basrawi, Mazen (CRT)</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Friday, April 29, 2011 2:07 PM</DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> DOJ SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF INDEPENDENCE, KANSAS,
TO ENSURE CIVIL ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES and DOJ REACHES ADA
SETTLEMENT TO MAKE LAW SCHOOL APPLICATION PROCESSES ACCESSIBLE TO BLIND
APPLICANTS</DIV></DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV class=WordSection1>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">NOTE:
Attached in pdf format is a Fact Sheet of the agreement.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class=MsoNormal align=center><B><IMG
id=Picture_x0020_2 alt=cid:image001.png@01CC0439.C1526030
src="cid:2DF2D8585C5F491FA04ECFBFCEADDB30@CarlosPC" width=78 height=78></B><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt">DEPARTMENT
OF JUSTICE</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"
lang=EN-CA>______________________________________________________________________________</SPAN><A
name=OLE_LINK6></A><A name=OLE_LINK7_13__10_></A><A name=OLE_LINK8></A><A
name=OLE_LINK1></A><A name=OLE_LINK29></A><A name=OLE_LINK30></A><A
name=OLE_LINK5></A><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE<A
name=2></A> Civil
Rights Division<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><A name=3></A><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">THURSDAY, APRIL
28,
2011
(202) <A name=4></A>514-2007<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><A
href="http://WWW.JUSTICE.GOV">WWW.JUSTICE.GOV</A>
TDD
(202) 514-1888<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; COLOR: #171e24; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><B><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">JUSTICE
DEPARTMENT SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF INDEPENDENCE, KANSAS,
TO<o:p></o:p></SPAN></U></B></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><B><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">ENSURE CIVIL
ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES<o:p></o:p></SPAN></U></B></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><B><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">WASHINGTON - The
Justice Department today announced an agreement with the city of Independence,
Kan., to improve access to all aspects of civic life for people with
disabilities. The agreement was reached under Project Civic Access (PCA),
the department’s wide-ranging initiative to ensure that cities, towns and
counties throughout the country comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA).<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">“Individuals
with disabilities must have the opportunity to participate in local government
programs, services and activities on an equal basis with their neighbors,” said
Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “We
applaud Independence officials for their commitment to improving access for all
residents and visitors with disabilities to the full range of city programs and
facilities, including the zoo, library, aquatic center and city
hall.”<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">“I hope Kansans
will take note of this settlement,” said Barry Grissom, U.S. Attorney for the
District of Kansas. “It is time to recognize the right of Americans with
disabilities to the care and services they need.”<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">PCA was
initiated to ensure that persons with disabilities have an equal opportunity to
participate in civic life, a fundamental part of American society. As part
of the PCA initiative, Justice Department investigators, attorneys and
architects survey state and local government facilities, services and programs
in communities across the country to identify the modifications needed for
compliance with ADA requirements. The agreements are tailored to address
the steps each community must take to improve access. This agreement is
the 189<SUP>th</SUP> under the PCA initiative. According to census data,
the city population is 9,846, and 23 percent of Independence residents have a
disability. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-INDENT: 0.25in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Under the
agreement announced today, the city of Independence will take several important
steps to improve access for individuals with disabilities, such
as:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-INDENT: 0.25in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<UL style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=disc>
<LI style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Making
physical modifications to facilities surveyed by the department so that
parking, routes into the buildings, entrances, service areas and counters,
restrooms, public telephones and drinking fountains are accessible to people
with disabilities; <o:p></o:p></SPAN>
<LI style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Surveying
other facilities and programs and making modifications wherever necessary to
achieve full compliance with ADA requirements; <o:p></o:p></SPAN>
<LI style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Ensuring that
buildings and outdoor facilities that will be built or altered by or on behalf
of the city comply with the ADA’s architectural requirements;
<o:p></o:p></SPAN>
<LI style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Posting,
publishing and distributing a notice to inform members of the public of the
provisions of Title II and their applicability to the city’s programs,
services and activities; <o:p></o:p></SPAN>
<LI style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Officially
recognizing the Kansas telephone relay service as a key means of communicating
with individuals who are deaf, are hard-of-hearing, or have speech
impairments, and training staff in using the relay service for telephone
communications; <o:p></o:p></SPAN>
<LI style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Undertaking
the required planning and modifications to ensure equal, integrated access to
emergency management for individuals with disabilities, including emergency
preparedness, notification, evacuation, sheltering, response, clean up and
recovery; <o:p></o:p></SPAN>
<LI style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Developing a
method for providing information for interested persons with disabilities
concerning the existence and location of the city’s accessible services,
activities and programs; <o:p></o:p></SPAN>
<LI style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Installing
signs at any inaccessible entrance to a facility directing individuals with
disabilities to an accessible entrance or to information about accessing
programs and services at other accessible facilities;<o:p></o:p></SPAN>
<LI style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Implementing a
plan to improve the accessibility of city sidewalks and provide for the
installation of accessible curb ramps throughout the city;
and<o:p></o:p></SPAN>
<LI style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Adopting a
grievance procedure to deal with complaints of disability discrimination
relating to city programs and services.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></LI></UL>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0.5in; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-INDENT: 0.25in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Today’s
agreement was reached under Title II of the ADA, which prohibits discrimination
against individuals with disabilities by state and local governments. The
agreement requires most actions to be completed within three years. For
the required accessibility modifications to sidewalks, pedestrian crossings,
transportation stops and curb ramps, the city will work with the disability
community to prioritize and complete these modifications within five
years. The department will actively monitor compliance with the agreement
until it has confirmed that all required actions have been
completed.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-INDENT: 0.25in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-INDENT: 0.25in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">People
interested in finding out more about the ADA, today’s agreement with the city of
Independence, the Project Civic Access initiative, or the ADA Best Practices
Tool Kit for State and Local Governments can access the ADA website at <A
href="http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2010/April/www.ada.gov"><SPAN
style="COLOR: windowtext; TEXT-DECORATION: none">www.ada.gov</SPAN></A> or call
the toll-free ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 (TTY).
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-INDENT: 0.25in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-INDENT: 0.25in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">For the full
agreement, please visit <A
href="http://www.ada.gov/independence_ks/independenceks_sa.htm.%20">www.ada.gov/independence_ks/independenceks_sa.htm.
</A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-INDENT: 0.25in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"># #
#<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class=MsoNormal align=center><IMG
id=Picture_x0020_1 border=0 alt=cid:image001.png@01CC03FC.58DBE630
src="cid:05F9B99AF74A4F389C4F8BF35AABD90A@CarlosPC" width=78 height=78><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt">DEPARTMENT
OF
JUSTICE<BR></SPAN>________________________________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class=MsoNormal align=center><A
name=OLE_LINK4></A><A name=OLE_LINK3></A>FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE <SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Civil
Rights Division</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class=MsoNormal align=center>TUESDAY, APRIL 26,
2011
(202) 514-2007<o:p></o:p></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class=MsoNormal align=center><A
href="http://WWW.JUSTICE.GOV">WWW.JUSTICE.GOV</A>
TDD (202) 514-1888<o:p></o:p></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class=MsoNormal align=center><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class=MsoNormal align=center><B><U>JUSTICE
DEPARTMENT REACHES ADA SETTLEMENT TO MAKE LAW SCHOOL <o:p></o:p></U></B></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class=MsoNormal align=center><B><U>APPLICATION
PROCESSES ACCESSIBLE TO BLIND APPLICANTS<o:p></o:p></U></B></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class=MsoNormal align=center><B><I><U><o:p><SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: none"> </SPAN></o:p></U></I></B></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class=MsoNormal align=center><B><I>Agreement also
reached with Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School<o:p></o:p></I></B></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class=MsoNormal align=center><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in" class=MsoNormal>WASHINGTON – The Justice
Department announced today its participation in two related settlement
agreements involving the accessibility of the Law School Admission Council’s
(LSAC) online application service, which is used by law schools nationwide for
their application processes. As a result of these agreements, LSAC’s
online application service, and the online application process of the nation's
law schools, will be accessible to individuals who are blind.
<o:p></o:p></P>
<P style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in" class=MsoNormal>Under the first agreement, which
resolves a lawsuit filed against LSAC by the National Federation of the Blind,
LSAC will take critical steps to ensure that its online application website, <A
href="http://www.lsac.org">www.lsac.org</A>, will be fully accessible to
individuals who use screen readers by the beginning of the fall 2012 application
cycle. Application through the LSAC website offers several convenient
features to applicants—including LSAC’s “Common Information Form;” bundling of
applications into the required LSAC Credential Assembly Service, which
eliminates the need to obtain multiple transcripts, letters of recommendations
and evaluations for applicants to more than one school; and online payment of
the application fee. The department is a signatory to this agreement,
which signifies that the steps the LSAC will undertake for its website will
satisfy, in part, the law schools’ obligations under the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) to make their application processes equally accessible to
individuals who are blind. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in" class=MsoNormal>The second agreement is between
the department and Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School. It requires the law
school to modify its own website to notify potential applicants of a process
they may use to apply to the law school until the LSAC electronic application
process has been made fully accessible. Specifically, the notice will
state that LSAC currently provides telephone assistance free of charge to
individuals completing applications. The law school will also post current
policies of non-discrimination on the basis of disability on its application
website. Finally, the law school will cease using the LSAC electronic
application process for the fall 2012 application cycle if the LSAC website is
not fully accessible under the terms reached in the agreement involving the
National Federation of the Blind (NFB), LSAC and the department. The
agreement is the result of an investigation following a complaint from the NFB
about the school’s use of the LSAC website. The department is working with
other law schools to reach similar agreements.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P
class=MsoNormal>
“Increased use of the Internet or other electronic technologies may enhance
convenience for law schools and applicants alike, but the rights of individuals
with disabilities may not be violated in the process,” said Thomas E. Perez,
Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “In this case,
blind students were denied an equal opportunity to apply to law school.
The ADA requires equal access to educational opportunities, and the Civil Rights
Division is committed to vigorous enforcement of the ADA.”<o:p></o:p></P>
<P
class=MsoNormal>
In passing the ADA and the recent ADA Amendments Act, Congress found that
individuals with disabilities were uniquely disadvantaged in critical areas,
including education. The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of
disability by public accommodations and covers discrimination by private
educational facilities, including law schools and other post-graduate
institutions. Those interested in seeking information about ADA rights and
responsibilities may access the department’s ADA website at <A
href="http://www.ada.gov">www.ada.gov</A> or call the Justice Department’s
toll-free ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 (TDD).
For the full agreements, visit <A
href="http://www.ada.gov/LSAC.htm">www.ada.gov/LSAC.htm</A> and <A
href="http://www.ada.gov/john-marshall-lawsch.htm">www.ada.gov/john-marshall-lawsch.htm</A>.<o:p></o:p></P>
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