Inclusion Daily Express -- Richmond Schools Still Way Behind On ADA

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Richmond Schools Still Way Behind On ADA
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
January 25, 2008

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA--Few students in Richmond public schools were born when Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990.

And, according to the Times-Dispatch, few Richmond students have been able to enjoy the accessibility that Congress required of schools more than 17 years ago.

In fact, only 50 of the district's 55 schools comply with the federal accessibility law, even though the district promised to make improvements to settle a multimillion-dollar lawsuit brought by parents of students with disabilities in 2005.

"When you're left outside the building and you can't get up the stairs, what's happening is you are being excluded," said Fred Orelove, executive director of the Partnership for People with Disabilities.

"Getting inside a school doesn't mean you'll be a great learner, but being kept out pretty much guarantees you won't."

Jim Bradshaw, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights, told the newspaper that complaints usually drive enforcement.

Related:
"Complying with disability laws" (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/2008/red/0125a.htm

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