DOT Fines AirTran for Disability Discrimination

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has assessed a civil penalty of $500,000 against AirTran Airways for violating rules protecting air travelers with disabilities.

The Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 requires airlines to provide assistance to passengers with disabilities in boarding and deplaning aircraft, including the use of wheelchairs, ramps, mechanical lifts or service personnel where needed. DOT found several violations of the requirement for boarding assistance. In addition, the carrier’s complaint files showed that it frequently did not provide an adequate written response to complaints from passengers.

Recent EEOC Disability Discrimination Lawsuits

FROM THE NRCA CAPITOL INSIDER-
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed two employment discrimination lawsuits under title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas in Houston. In the first lawsuit against ENGlobal Engineering, Inc., an energy engineering and professional services company, EEOC alleged the company fired an individual because it regarded him as having a disability. The employer insisted that the employee take a medical leave of absence when he began experiencing symptoms of multiple sclerosis even though he could still work. When the person returned to work with a doctor's clearance, ENGlobal falsely told him his position was no longer available. Three weeks later, the company hired someone else.

In the second employment discrimination lawsuit, EEOC alleged that DynMcDermott Petroleum Operations Company refused to hire someone who had previously worked for the company because his wife had cancer which the company felt would interfere with his ability to do his job. The company later hired someone with no experience for the position. Discrimination based on association with a person who has a disability is prohibited under title I of the ADA. See EEOC's press release at:
http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/newsroom/release/8-26-10.cfm

Call for 2011 ADARA Awards

ADARA is calling for nominations for Biennial Awards to be presented at the 2011 Conference.

Boyce R. Williams Award is the highest award presented by ADARA in recognition of contributions toward improvement in the rehabilitation of people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.


Frederick C. Schreiber Award recognizes an individual who has made outstanding
contributions to ADARA.


Eugene W. Petersen Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exemplary direct service provision in the rehabilitation of Deaf adults with additional handicapping conditions.


Legislative Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated contributions related to
legislative activities that benefit Deaf, Late Deafened, Hard of Hearing and Deafblind individuals.


The deadline for all nominations is December, 2010

Nominations are accepted from any member of ADARA. All nominees must be members of ADARA in order to be selected. All nominations must be submitted to Steve Hamerdinger via email at steve.hamerdinger@mh.alabama.gov , fax to 334.242.3025, or mail to Office of Deaf Services, Alabama Dept of Mental Health, PO Box 3011410, Montgomery, AL 36130.