FACT SHEET

Settlement Agreement between the United States of America and the City of Niagara Falls, New York

The Department of Justice initiated a compliance review of the City of Niagara Falls, New York, in 1999. On-site surveys of City programs, services, activities, and facilities were conducted in May 2000 and October 2004. The agreement covers programs and services housed in the following facilities: Sal Maglie Stadium, City Hall, Hyde Park - Golf Course Clubhouse, 95th Street Recreation Center, Bridge Street Fire Station, Community Development Building, Department of Public Works, Earl W. Brydges Public Library, Fire Station No. 7, Fire Station No. 8, Gluck Park, Hyde Park, Duck Island Senior Citizens Park, John Duke Senior Citizen Center, La Salle Public Library, Rainbow Ramp Parking Garage, RV Parking Lot - City Lot # 4, Niagara Falls Arts and Cultural Center, and Niagara Falls Police Substation. The Department also reviewed the City's polling places, emergency management procedures, employment policies, sidewalks, and its 9-1-1 emergency services. City government officials worked cooperatively with the Department throughout the investigation in order to reach a settlement agreement.

The physical changes and the signs noted below are not required at every facility. The text of the settlement agreement specifies where modifications will be made.

The County has agreed to:

• Make physical modifications to its facilities so that parking, routes into the buildings, entrances, public telephones, restrooms, service counters, and drinking fountains are accessible to people with disabilities;
• Post, publish, and distribute 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;
• Officially recognize New York State's telephone relay service, and train staff in using the City TTY relay service;
• Continue to ensure that the 9-1-1 emergency service TTY calls are answered as quickly as other calls received, that such calls are monitored for timing and accuracy, if other calls are monitored, and that employees are trained and practiced in using a TTY to make and receive calls;
• Ensure that the City's official website is accessible to people with disabilities;
• Develop a method for ensuring that voters with disabilities have an equal opportunity to vote by providing accessible voter registration locations and polling places, and by training poll workers on the rights of persons with disabilities and the practical aspects of assuring those rights.
• Ensure equal access to the City's emergency management program and services for persons with disabilities, including preparation, notification, response, and clean up;
• Install signs at any inaccessible entrance to a facility directing users to an accessible entrance or to information about other accessible facilities; and
• Implement a plan on accessibility of sidewalks and curb cuts throughout the City.

The settlement agreement will remain in effect for 3 years from July 30, 2009.

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