Enforcing the ADA A Special Fifth Anniversary Status Report from the Department of Justice July 26, 1995 This is a special edition commemorating the fifth anniversary of the enactment of the ADA. Regular quarterly status reports will resume in October 1995. Copies of previous reports are available through our ADA Information Line. A Message from Deval L. Patrick, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Five years ago, the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act began a new era of opportunity, promise, and dignity for the 49 million Americans with disabilities. The ADA reflects the good common sense that is at the heart of all of our civil rights laws. For eliminating barriers that prevent people from fully participating in society is not only the right thing to do; it also enriches the lives of all Americans. The ADA is a fair and reasonable law. It strikes a careful balance between the legitimate rights of individuals with disabilities and the resources and capabilities of private businesses and government. In enforcing the Act, we have focused on sensibly achieving its central goals. We have avoided the pursuit of fringe and frivolous disputes. Thanks to our educational outreach efforts, we have fostered a high degree of voluntary compliance with a minimum of costly litigation. Our focus is on the fundamentals -- access to vital government activities and to private sector goods and services that are necessary for daily living and employment. Through lawsuits and settlements, we have achieved greater access for people with disabilities in over 350 cases. This special fifth anniversary status report highlights some of these accomplishments. We are committed to the long-term effort that will be required to fully implement the ADA. Through vigorous enforcement -- and partnerships with business, state and local government, and the disability community -- we will realize the ADA's promise of new opportunities for people with disabilities and all Americans. Deval L. Patrick Assistant Attorney General The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a comprehensive civil rights law for people with disabilities. The Department of Justice enforces the ADA's requirements in three areas - Title I: Employment practices by units of State and local government Title II: Programs, services, and activities of State and local government Title III: Public accommodations and commercial facilities I. Enforcement Highlights Gaining Access to Emergency Services Under the ADA, the basic services that we all expect from government must be provided on a nondiscriminatory basis to people with disabilities. 9-1-1 system in Chicago -- The Department reached a formal agreement with Chicago ensuring access to 9-1-1 services for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech impairments. The agreement resolved three complaints filed with the Justice Department alleging that in three separate incidents deaf people were unable to get help by calling 9-1-1. In one case, a woman who had to wait for a cab to take her to the hospital was told by her physician that she could have died if she had arrived an hour later. In the other two cases, individuals who had been assaulted were able to reach the police only by calling intermediaries. Under the agreement, Chicago agreed to install telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD's) in its 9-1-1 emergency center, train dispatchers to handle TDD calls, and promote its new accessible 9-1-1 system. A Los Angeles mother who is deaf tried to get emergency help for her two-year-old son who had just received a head injury. Her repeated TDD calls to 9-1-1 went unanswered. 9-1-1 system in Los Angeles -- The City of Los Angeles agreed to make its 9-1-1 emergency services accessible to persons who use TDD's. The formal agreement resolves a complaint alleging that the City failed to respond to a 9-1-1 call made by a mother who is deaf. After her two-year-old son sustained a head injury, the mother tried calling 9-1-1 on a TDD three times. Finally, she gave up and took her son to the hospital herself. Under the agreement, the City agreed to install TDD's, train its staff to handle TDD calls, and promote the use of 9-1-1 by individuals who use TDD's. Emergency medical services in Philadelphia -- The Departmet resolved a complaint against the City of Philadelphia alleging that the City's emergency medical technicians (EMT's) had refused to assist an individual who they learned had HIV. Under the agreement, the City will no longer refuse to provide emergency services to individuals with disabilities. It will also discipline any employee who fails to follow the City's guidelines and will train the fire department's 2,300 EMT's and firefighters on ways to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS. In addition, the City will pay $10,000 in compensatory damages and issue a written apology to the complainant. Ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity The ADA guarantees equal employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The Department has attacked failures to make reasonable accommodation and the discriminatory denial of pension and retirement benefits. Employment opportunities in Slidell, Louisiana -- The Department sued Slidell alleging that the City failed to reasonably accommodate Gregory Smith, an employee in its department of parks and recreation. It claimed that the City discharged Smith, who had a chronic knee condition stemming from an on-the-job injury, without considering whether a reasonable accommodation would enable him to continue to do the job. Under the consent decree, Smith received $2,000 in compensatory damages and more than $21,000 in back pay. He did not seek reinstatement to his job. The case originated at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and was referred to the Justice Department for litigation when conciliation efforts failed. Pension funds in Illinois -- In response to a suit filed by the Department, Illinois enacted legislation to eliminate discriminatory provisions in its police and fire pension code. The Department had sued the board of trustees of the Aurora police pension fund, the City of Aurora, and the State for excluding police officers and firefighters from the City's pension funds on the basis of disability. Under the challenged system, police officers and firefighters were required to undergo separate physical examinations after they were hired to determine eligibility for retirement and disability benefits. Even though they were performing successfully on the job, police officers and firefighters could be denied disability and retirement benefits. Kevin Holmes served successfully for ten years as a police officer in Aurora, Illinois. But, because he had diabetes, he was excluded from the State's pension fund. He would not receive the retirement pension available to other officers, and if he was injured in the line-of-duty, he would not receive any disability benefits. Right to Citizen Participation The ADA protects the right of people with disabilities to have equal access to the basic institutions of government. The Department has sought to eliminate physical, communication, and policy barriers in town halls, courtrooms, and legislative chambers. City hall in Waukesha, Wisconsin -- Resolving a complaint by a Waukesha City alderman who uses a wheelchair, the City agreed to make its city hall accessible. It agreed to hold its closed deliberations in the accessible room in which it holds general meetings, renovate the first floor bathrooms, install automatic door openers at the building's entrance, and provide a van accessible parking space. Jury service in Salt Lake City -- The Utah State Administrative Office of the Courts committed its courts to provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services, including qualified interpreters, when necessary to provide an individual with a disability an opportunity to serve as a juror. The agency agreed to establish a policy on providing interpreters for individuals serving on jury duty, notify the public about the policy, and instruct district court officials to adhere to the policy. Civic functions in Manhattan, Montana -- A small Montana town agreed to make its town programs accessible by making a few renovations and taking alternative nonstructural measures. It agreed to install a ramp at an entrance, make the route to the entrance accessible, create one van-accessible parking space, and make the water fountain and bathroom on the first floor accessible. Also, town council meetings will be moved to the first floor when necessary. Jury service in the D.C. Superior Court -- Donald Galloway filed suit in federal court charging that the District of Columbia Superior Court violated the law by categorically excluding blind persons from jury service. The federal court agreed, and awarded Galloway $30,000 in damages. The Justice Department argued in support of Galloway's view that compensatory damages can be obtained under both the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Donald Galloway was excited to be called for jury duty in the District of Columbia and eager to fulfill his civic responsibility. At the courthouse, though, he was told that because he is blind he could have saved himself the trip -- he would not be allowed to serve. Town board meetings in New York State -- A small community agreed to purchase a public address system to resolve a complaint from a hard of hearing citizen who wanted to listen to town board meetings. Opening Gateways to Opportunity The ADA is lowering the barriers to educational and professional advancement faced by many people with disabilities. The Department has engaged in enforcement activities involving college entrance examinations and review courses for bar and accounting exams. Scholastic Assessment Test -- The Educational Testing Service and the College Entrance Examination Board agreed to schedule more dates for more than 20,000 students with disabilities wishingto take the new version of the Scholastic Assessment Test. Under the original testing schedule, students with disabilities requiring accommodations were offered only one date to take the updated version, as opposed to their peers who had several opportunities to take the test. The agreement also allowed approximately 2,600 students with disabilities who took the old version of the test the chance to cancel their scores and retake the new exam. Bar review course -- Under a consent decree, the company that runs Bar/Bri, the nation's largest review course for students taking the bar exam, agreed to provide qualified sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, and Brailled materials to students with disabilities. The Department had alleged that the course failed to provide appropriate auxiliary aids to students with vision and hearing impairments. The company, Harcourt Brace, also agreed to pay $28,000 in compensatory damages, pay $25,000 in civil penalties to the United States, adopt a policy ensuring that auxiliary aids and services are provided, educate its staff about the needs of students with disabilities, and promote the availability of auxiliary aids and services in its advertising. Jennifer Olson is deaf and has used interpreters throughout her college and law school years. When she signed up to take a bar review course, the company refused to provide an interpreter. C.P.A. review course -- In a settlement resolving the first lawsuit filed by the Justice Department under the ADA, Becker C.P.A. Review, which prepares over 10,000 students annually to take the national certified public accountant exam, agreed to amend its auxiliary aids policy. Where a need can be demonstrated, Becker will provide qualified sign language interpreters and assistive listening devices to students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Becker also agreed to appoint a national ADA coordinator, train its staff regarding the policy revision, pay $20,000 in damages to be distributed to deaf and hearing impaired students, and establish a $25,000 scholarship fund for accounting students at California State University who have hearing impairments. Becoming Part of the Economic Mainstream A primary goal of the ADA is to bring people with disabilities into the mainstream of the American economy. The Department has achieved greater access in a wide variety of private-sector settings. Venture Department Stores -- The Department entered into a consent decree resolving its suit against Venture Stores, Inc., a St. Louis firm that operates more than 90 discount department stores in eight states. Venture agreed to modify its policy of permitting only customers with driver's licenses to pay with a personal check, and will now permit individuals who do not drive because of a disability to pay by check if they have a non-driver state ID card. It also agreed to compensate the complainants. Joan Abbati has epilepsy and is unable to get a driver's license. When making purchases by check, she shows the cashier an ID card issued by the State of Illinois. A Venture discount department store in Chicago refused to honor the card, preventing her from paying by check. Parking facilities in Colorado -- The Department entered into a consent decree resolving its suit against Allright Colorado, a company that owns or operates over 100 parking lot facilities in Denver. Under the agreement, Allright will add over 400 accessible parking spaces to its facilities, and instruct parking attendants to monitor the slots and ticket cars that are improperly parked. Allright also paid $20,000 in civil penalties because of alleged delay in complying. Gibson's Discount Center -- By consent decree, the Department resolved a case against the operator of 30 discount department stores in eight Midwest and Rocky Mountain States. The Department investigated complaints against several Gibson's department stores alleging that Gibson's had failed to remove architectural barriers to access and that it had made alterations that did not comply with the ADA's Standards for Accessible Design. Under the agreement, Gibson's will bring all its stores into full compliance with the Standards; provide at least one accessible fitting room and entrance at each store; and offer accessible parking, check-out aisles, and restrooms. Also, Gibson's will pay $30,000 in civil penalties and $15,000 in compensatory damages. In some Kansas communities, Gibson's Discount Center is the only place in town to shop for clothing, hardware, electronics, and sporting goods. But for Richard Knight, who uses a wheelchair, it was often impossible to shop at his hometown store because of insufficient accessible parking and inaccessible restrooms. Municipal Credit Union of New York City -- A branch office of the Municipal Credit Union of New York City was inaccessible to people with mobility impairments. The Credit Union agreed to install a ramp at the entrance, notify its customers of the ramp, post appropriate signs, and instruct the staff to provide assistance when requested by individuals with disabilities. Smith Barney -- Under a formal settlement, Smith Barney, a nationwide financial planning services company, will provide, upon request, financial statements and correspondence in large print to its customers with vision impairments. (Smith Barney already provides documents in Braille.) Smith Barney also agreed to pay $1,500 to the complainant and notify its customers of the new service. Since the agreement, 645 customers already have requested large print documents. Lone Star Steakhouse and Saloons -- Lone Star Steakhouse and Saloons, a nationwide restaurant chain operating 105 restaurants in 29 States, agreed to bring 97 new or altered facilities into full compliance with the ADA. This settlement was the first resulting from a compliance review, a process by which the Department reviews architectural plans to determine if new construction projects will comply with the ADA's standards. By reviewing the plans and visiting several sites, officials learned that Lonestar failed to provide accessible seating, restrooms, and parking, as well as accessible routes from parking areas. Under the settlement, Lone Star is contributing a total of $5,000 to four disability advocacy groups. Gas station in Arlington, Virginia -- Under an agreement, an Exxon gas station in Arlington agreed to pump gas for persons with disabilities and implement a procedure that would ensure that persons with disabilities could bypass the inaccessible electronic card reader devices when pumping their own gasoline. Exxon also will display signs describing this procedure. Ensuring Fair Treatment The ADA protects people with disabilities from unfair treatment. The Department has successfully fought for the rights of people with HIV infection not to be refused routine dental care because of irrational fears. Dental service in New Orleans -- A Federal court in Louisiana ruled that a dentist violated the law by referring persons with HIV or AIDS to another dentist solely on the basis of the patient's HIV positive status. Under a consent order the dentist, Dr. Morvant, agreed to pay $60,000 in damages to the family of one deceased patient, Ismael Pena, and $60,000 to another patient, and to no longer discriminate against persons with HIV or AIDS. Morvant may refer such patients to another dentist only when the dental treatment being sought or provided is outside his area of expertise. The order also requires Morvant and his staff to undergo training on the treatment of persons with HIV or AIDS, infection control in the dental workplace, and the ethical duty to treat persons with HIV or AIDS. For 11 years Ismael Pena went to the same dentist in New Orleans for basic dental care. But after learning that his longstanding and loyal patient had AIDS, Dr. Morvant told Pena to go elsewhere to get his teeth cleaned. Access to Business and Leisure Travel The ADA guarantees the right of people with disabilities to enjoy the amenities of leisure and business travel. The Department's activities have led to greater accessibility in the hotel, rental car, and resort industries. Hyatt Regency in Dallas -- The Department resolved a suit alleging that the Hyatt Regency Dallas Hotel failed to remove architectural barriers where it was readily achievable to do so. Under the consent agreement, the Hyatt Corporation agreed to provide 28 accessible guest rooms, modify three sets of restrooms on several floors, and construct ramps providing access to the hotel's swimming pool and hot tub areas. It also agreed to pay a total of $36,000 in compensatory damages to 24 individuals with disabilities. For some families who have children with spina bifida, the yearly conventin of the Spina Bifida Association is a summer vacation. The children can play with other children with spina bifida and not feel excluded or self-conscious. In 1992, excitement turned to disappointment when families showed up at the convention only to find that the guestrooms, restrooms, and pool at the Dallas Hyatt were inaccessible. Avis, Inc. -- Under a formal settlement, Avis, Inc., the country's second largest car rental company, agreed to provide rental cars with hand controls for persons with disabilities -- with as little as eight hours notice in most major airport locations. Avis also agreed to urge all existing licensees to adopt the same policy, require all new franchisees and those renewing their contracts to adopt the policy, train its staff at its corporate-owned rental locations, and allow persons who are unemployed due to a disability and who do not use credit cards, to substitute verifiable disability-related income in lieu of a verifiable employment history. Also, Avis will allow persons who cannot drive due to a disability to rent cars in their own name and maintain financial responsibility for renting the car when accompanied by a licensed driver. Resort hotels in Hawaii -- The Department sued Pleasant Travel Service, Inc., and its subsidiary, Hawaiian Hotels & Resorts, Inc., who own and operate several resort hotels in Hawaii and California. It alleged that the hotels failed to remove barriers to access and renovated the hotels in ways that did not comply with the ADA's standards. Under a consent decree, the Royal Lahaina Resort, the Royal Kona Resort, and the Kauai Coconut Beach Resort will provide accessible parking; modify restrooms to make them accessible; provide access to restaurants, swimming pools and the luau areas; and offer between 12 and 14 accessible guest rooms at each hotel. Also, the defendants agreed to pay a total of $25,000 in compensatory damages to two individuals who use wheelchairs and $25,000 in civil penalties. John Hartman, a wheelchair user who is active in community affairs in Kona, Hawaii, frequently attends meetings of his local government at the Royal Kona Resort. Because there was no accessible restroom, Hartman often would have to leave meetings abruptly, return to his van, and drive into town to find an accessible facility. Increasing Access to Recreational Activities The ADA bolsters the ability of people with disabilities to enjoy recreational activities with their family and friends. The Department has successfully increased access in diverse settings ranging from bowling centers to county fairs. Empire State Building in New York -- The Justice Department alleged that the owners of the Empire State Building failed to remove architectural barriers where it was readily achievable to do so. An agreement resolving the complaint mandates changes to the lobby, entrance, observation decks, restrooms and telephones, but does not cover any privately leased office space in the building. Bowling alley in Greenwood, South Carolina -- The owners of Emerald Lanes, a bowling center, agreed to construct a ramp and an accessible door at the front entrance, build a new accessible unisex restroom and vestibule leading to it, and add accessible parking. A South Carolina man just wanted to be able to see his children bowl in league competition -- but inaccessible facilities made it impossible. Public fair in Minnehaha County, South Dakota -- In the first settlement agreement involving a public fair, Minnehaha County agreed to a wide range of measures to ensure accessibility at the Sioux Empire Fair. The County agreed to renovate several bathrooms, install two TDD's at pay phones, create an accessible path of travel through areas of the Fairgrounds, upgrade accessible parking, make the vending and ticketing counters and booths accessible, provide materials to Fair volunteers and patrons regarding the accommodations available for people with disabilities, and adopt a policy that allows patrons with mobility impairments to buy the same number of companion tickets to Fair concerts that other patrons are able to buy. Theaters in New York City -- A number of motion picture and performing arts theaters in New York City agreed to install assistive listening systems and provide individual receivers for patrons who are hard of hearing. Providing Freedom from Unnecessary Inquiries into Disability The ADA gives people with disabilities the right to be free from undue requests for personal and private information about their physical or mental condition. Many State licensing authorities are reconsidering the questions they are asking applicants for professional licenses due to the Department's activities in this area. Professional licensing nationwide -- By challenging overly broad mental health inquiries by State licensing officials of applicants for professional licenses (law and medicine), the Department has spurred reform efforts nationwide. In briefs filed in New Jersey, Florida, and Virginia, the Department has argued that broad questions about an individual's history of treatment or counseling for mental, emotional, or nervous conditions that do not focus on current impairment of an applicant's fitness to practice in a given profession violate the ADA. In one case challenging an unnecessarily broad inquiry into past mental health treatment, the Federal court ordered the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners to stop asking bar applicants whether they had received counseling within the past five years. II. Certification Highlights The law requires that newly constructed or altered facilities comply with the ADA Standards for Accessible Design. The ADA authorizes the Justie Department to certify building codes that meet the ADA's standards. In litigation, an entity that complies with a certified code can use it as rebuttable evidence of compliance with the law. Washington State's Code -- In March, the Justice Department certified that the requirements of Washington's building code are equivalent to those set forth in the ADA. Washington was the first State to submit, and receive certification of, its code. It may serve as a model for other states and localities. III. Technical Assistance Highlights Congress made the ADA very flexible and required the Federal Government to provide technical assistance to help the public understand the law's requirements. The Justice Department has fulfilled this mandate by establishing a wide ranging technical assistance program. In the past five years, the Department has -- - distributed more than 70 million ADA publications and informational pieces to the public; - established a toll-free Information Line that receives approximately 6,500 calls each month from the public; - distributed public service announcements about the ADA to hundreds of TV and radio stations across the country; - developed and disseminated an ADA Information File containing over 30 technical assistance publications to 15,000 public libraries and 6,000 Chambers of Commerce nationwide; - provided grants to trade associations and other organizations for the development of specially-tailored publications and videotapes on the ADA. The groups included-- - owners and managers of hotels and motels, restaurants, grocery stores, other retail establishments, small businesses, and businesses whose owners speak Spanish or other languages; - builders and contractors, students and professors of design education programs, and members of historic preservation boards and commissions; - medical professionals, child care providers, and service providers for older people; - mayors of medium and large cities, small towns and townships, police officers and court personnel, and managers and operators of emergency response ("9-1-1") centers; - people with disabilities; and, - community and professional mediators. Most businesses and governments comply once they understand what is required. That is why our *ADA Information Line* is a cornerstone of our public education effort. Through the information line, ADA specialists are available to answer questions and provide basic information, technical guidance, and publications. A State university administrator did not know how to accommodate a student who uses a wheelchair -- so he called the ADA hotline. An ADA specialist suggested moving courses to accessible sites as well as setting up meetings with students and staff to identify possible obstacles that limit campus access. Two weeks later, the administrator called back to say that the first meeting was a success, not only for the students, but for the school because it dispelled the myth that providing program access would be too costly. Our technical assistance initiatives underscore the importance of developing partnerships between businesses or local governments and persons with disabilities. Working together makes compliance easier and more effective. ADA Information Line ADA specialists are available Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (EDT), and Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Spanish language service is also provided. Callers may hear recorded information and order materials at any time day or night. 1-800-514-0301 (voice) 1-833-610-1264 (TDD) Publications Copies of the Department of Justice's regulations and technical assistance manuals for titles II and III of the ADA, the ADA Questions and Answers booklet, the ADA Handbook (limited quantities available), ADA Status Reports, and information about the Department's technical assistance grant program can be obtained free of charge by calling the ADA Information Line at the number listed above or by writing to the address listed below. These materials are also vailable as an accommodation to people with disabilities in large print, Braille, audiotape, and computer disk. U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Disability Rights Section Post Office Box 66738 Washington, D.C. 20035-6738 ADA Documents are On-line. The Department of Justice operates an electronic bulletin board system (BBS) that contains its ADA regulations and technical assistance materials as well as some materials from other Federal agencies. These can be downloaded by computer modem by dialing 202-514-6193. The BBS can also be accessed through the Internet. The access codes are telnet fedworld.gov Gateway D, choice 1 #9. The Department also has placed a variety of its ADA materials directly on the Internet, including press releases on ADA cases and ADA regulations and technical assistance materials. These materials can be accessed with gopher client software (gopher.usdoj.gov), through other gopher servers (choose 9 for North America, 5 for USA, 1 for All, and look for Department of Justice, which currently is option 377), with World Wide Web software (http://www.usdoj.gov), or through the White House WWW server (http://www.whitehouse.gov). On the DOJ Home Page on the Web, ADA materials are located under Litigation Organizations, Civil Rights Division and under Justice Department Issues, Americans with Disabilities Act. The Department's press releases are located under the Office of Public Affairs on both the gopher and the World Wide Web. The Department's press releases are searchable on both gopher and World Wide Web. Speeches by senior officials of the Civil Rights Division can be found on the Civil Rights Division gopher and under Litigation Organizations, Civil Rights Division, Civil Rights Gopher Information. Copies of the Department of Justice's Technical Assistance Manuals for titles II and III and yearly updates can also be obtained by subscription from the Government Printing Office. The subscription fee for the Title II Manual, which includes annual supplements through 1996, is $24. The subscription fee for the Title III Manual with supplements through 1996 is $25. Call the ADA Information Line to obtain an order form. Copies of legal documents and settlement agreements mentioned in this publication can be obtained by writing to: Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Branch Administrative Management Section Civil Rights Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 65310 Washington, D.C. 20035-5310 Fax: 202-514-6195 IV. Other Sources of ADA Information The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission offers technical assistance to the public concerning title I of the ADA. For ordering documents 800-669-3362 (voice) 800-800-3302 (TDD) For questions 800-669-4000 (voice) 800-669-6820 (TDD) The U.S. Department of Transportation offers technical assistance to the public concerning the public transportation provisions of title II and title III of the ADA. ADA documents and general questions 202-366-1656 (voice) 202-366-4567 (TDD) ADA legal questions 202-366-1936 (voice) TDD: Use relay service Complaints and enforcement 202-366-2285 (voice) 202-366-0153 (TDD) Project ACTION 202-347-3066 (voice) 202-347-7385 (TDD) The Federal Communications Commission offers technical assistance to the public concerning title IV of the ADA. ADA documents and general questions 202-418-0190 (voice) 202-418-2555 (TDD) ADA legal questions 202-634-1798 (voice) 202-418-0484 (TDD) Complaints and enforcement 202-632-7553 (voice) 202-418-0485 (TDD) The U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, or Access Board, offers technical assistance to the public on the ADA Accessibility Guidelines. ADA documents and questions 800-872-2253 (voice) 800-993-2822 (TDD) The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) of the U.S. Department of Education has funded ten regional centers to provide technical assistance on the ADA. 800-949-4232 (voice & TDD) (call automatically connects to the closest center) The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is a free telephone consulting service funded by the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities. It provides information and advice to employers and people with disabilities on reasonable accommodation in the workplace. Accommodation in the workplace 800-526-7234 (voice & TDD) V. How to File Complaints Title I Complaints about violations of title I (employment) by units of State and local government or by private employers should be filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Call 800-669-4000 (voice) or 800-669-6820 (TDD) for the field office in your area. Titles II and III Complaints about violations of title II by units of State and local government or violations of title III by public accommodations and commercial facilities should be filed with - U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Disability Rights Section Post Office Box 66738 Washington, D.C. 20035-6738