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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The City of Toledo, Ohio, will make significant changes to its policies and facilities to provide greater access for persons with disabilities, under an agreement reached today with the Justice Department.

The out-of-court agreement resolves allegations that the city of Toledo violated Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to take the steps necessary to ensure that its programs are accessible to persons with disabilities. The comprehensive agreement covers more than 50 city facilities, including police and fire stations, municipal courts, parking garages, community centers, parks, and sports facilities.

The city will provide accessible parking and accessible toilet facilities, install ramps, widen doors, provide accessible public telephones, and lower information counters. In addition, the city will provide effective communication, including sign language interpreters, when necessary, for court proceedings and public meetings.

"The city of Toledo has opened the door to full civic participation by its citizens with disabilities," said Bill Lann Lee, Acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. "I commend the city and all parties involved, especially the Toledo Police Department, for their cooperation and responsiveness during the course of this investigation. Today's agreement should serve as a model to other towns, cities, and counties."

Under the agreement, the city will:

modify its facilities to ensure that persons with disabilities have access to city programs, including district and neighborhood police stations, a market-outlet complex, fire stations, parking garages, museums, community and social service centers, the Municipal Courthouse, the Health Department, and other city administrative buildings;

adopt policies and procedures to improve accessibility at city programs, which could include moving programs to an accessible location, if necessary;

take steps to ensure that effective communication is available to persons with disabilities, including those with hearing, speech, and vision impairments, at city activities such as court proceedings and public meetings;

submit a plan to the Justice Department that will ensure that parks, pools, ice rinks, and arts programs will become more accessible to persons with disabilities by December 2000;

train employees on the city's responsibilities under the ADA; and,

publicize its new nondiscrimination policies on the city's Internet site and in a local newspaper.

Title II of the ADA, which was passed by Congress in 1990, prohibits discrimination in all state and local government activities. Under the ADA, state and local governments had until January 26, 1993, to evaluate their services, policies, and practices that discriminate against persons with disabilities, and to have proceeded to make any necessary modifications. Additionally, any physical changes necessary to make services and programs accessible must have been completed by January 26, 1995 unless doing so would impose an undue financial or administrative burden.

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:

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