FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2002 WWW.USDOJ.GOV |
CRT (202) 514-2008 TDD (202) 514-1888 |
MILLIKIN UNIVERSITY TO MAKE CAMPUS MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR PEOPLE
WITH DISABILITIES, UNDER AGREEMENT WITH JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Under an agreement reached today with the Justice Department, Millikin University, located in Decatur, Illinois, has agreed to make its campus more accessible to people with disabilities.
Today's out-of-court settlement resolves a complaint filed with the Justice Department alleging that a number of buildings and facilities on Millikin’s campus were not accessible to people with mobility impairments. Under the agreement, Millikin has agreed to make accessibility improvements campus-wide, resulting in a broad range of programs being more accessible to persons with disabilities, including academics, dining and living facilities, and social aspects of campus life.
"In order to provide equal access for college students with disabilities, colleges must be prepared to work towards making the entire college experience accessible," said Ralph F. Boyd, Jr., Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. "Millikin University has set an example that other schools should follow."
Title III of the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) requires privately owned places of public accommodation, including private colleges and universities, to remove architectural barriers to access where such removal is readily achievable and to modify policies, practices, and procedures when necessary to avoid discrimination. Under the agreement, Millikin University has agreed to:
Ensuring equal access to education is a key priority for the Justice Department. Today’s out-of-court settlement regarding comprehensive accessibility of a college or university follows an agreement the Justice Department reached with Duke University in February 2000.
Individuals interested in finding out more about the ADA can call the ADA information line at (800) 514-0301 (voice) or (800) 514-0383 (TTY) or access the Department's ADA home page on the World Wide Web at: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm
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