Department of Justice Seal Department of Justice
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2002
WWW.USDOJ.GOV
CRT
(202) 616-2777
TDD (202) 514-1888

NEVADA FOSTER CARE AGENCY AGREES TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION WITH DEAF MOTHER WHO SEEKS TO BE A FOSTER PARENT


WASHINGTON, D.C. - - The Department of Justice today announced that Maple Star Nevada, a non-profit agency in Las Vegas, Nevada, has agreed to allow deaf and hard of hearing applicants to be considered for selection as foster parents. In addition, the agency agrees to provide effective communication, specifically including sign language interpreters where necessary, in order to communicate effectively with deaf or hard of hearing applicants. The organization has also agreed to adopt new policies to ensure compliance with Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by public accommodations, including public service agencies like Maple Star Nevada.

Today's settlement agreement resolves a complaint filed by a deaf mother who uses sign language for communication, and who contacted Maple Star Nevada for information on applying to become a foster parent. Maple Star allegedly refused to provide an interpreter during the required application process and certification. The deaf applicant was interested in providing foster care services for children with special needs and adolescents who cannot be maintained in large group care or foster care setting.

"The Americans with Disabilities Act is intended to ensure equality of opportunity and full participation in services by people with disabilities," said Ralph F. Boyd, Jr., Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. "When a foster care provider fails to communicate effectively with a person with a disability seeking to apply to participate in the program, it limits opportunities for the applicant and for children who might benefit from placement in that applicant's home."

Under the agreement, the agency will provide the deaf mother an opportunity to apply to be a foster parent, and the agency will secure appropriate auxiliary aids and services, including qualified sign language interpreters, to communicate effectively with the complainant and with any future applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing. Maple Star Nevada will also develop a written non-discrimination policy that requires appropriate receipt and processing of applications by individuals with disabilities and commits Maple Star Nevada to consult promptly with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing regarding any requests for auxiliary aids or need for a sign language interpreter.

The Justice Department attempts to negotiate with private agencies and service providers to bring about voluntary compliance with the requirements of the ADA whenever possible. Maple Star which provides adoption services through a contract with the State of Nevada, denied any discrimination, but cooperated in the Department of Justice investigation and later settlement.

"Our goal is to work with businesses and other public accommodations to achieve solutions to provide workable solutions." Boyd added.

Additional information about the ADA can be found by calling the Department's toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301, (800) 514-0383 (TDD) or the Department of Justice website at www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.

###

02-164