FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          CR
THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 1996                            (202) 616-2765
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888

                                 
ARLINGTON COUNTY RESOLVES EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION CLAIM IN AN
             AGREEMENT WITH THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT

     WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Arlington County Police Department
will offer to rehire a woman whose job offer it withdrew after
discovering she had epilepsy, under a settlement announced by the
U.S. Justice Department.
     Today's agreement resolves a complaint filed by Carol
Reptsik last September alleging that the Virginia county violated
the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by reneging on their
employment offer.  Reptsik, of Washington, D.C., claimed she was
offered a temporary clerical position with the Arlington County
Police Department last September.  
     Reptsik was asked to take a routine polygraph test prior to
employment.  According to the complaint, a temporary agency,
acting on behalf of the police department, inquired as to whether
Ms. Reptsik took any medications which would affect the outcome
of the test.  Ms. Reptsik reported that she took two drugs,
Dilantin and phenobarbital, commonly prescribed to people with
epilepsy.  
     The complaint alleged that shortly thereafter the temporary
agency informed Reptsik that the police department had withdrawn
its offer out of concern that the test would cause Reptsik too
much stress.
     "The ADA is designed to prevent discrimination based on
ignorance about people with disabilities," said Deval L. Patrick,
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights.  "This settlement
will give Ms. Reptsik an equal chance at a job -- a right that
every American deserves."  
     Under the agreement, the Arlington County Police Department
has agreed to:
         rehire Reptsik for four weeks in a temporary, full-time
          clerical position with the Police Department, provided
          she passes the County's required polygraph test; 

         continue training its employees regarding obligations
          under the employment provisions of the ADA; and,

         pay the complainant $2,500 in damages. 

     Title II of the ADA, which became effective in 1992,
prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by public
entities, including discrimination by state and local
governments.  
     "We commend Arlington County for promptly resolving this
matter," added Patrick.
     Copies of the settlement may be obtained by calling the
Justice Department's toll-free ADA Information Line.  The hotline
was established by Attorney General Janet Reno as part of a
nationwide campaign to educate the public about the law.  The
number is 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TDD).  
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