The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) entered into a settlement agreement with Ridgewood Preparatory School (Ridgewood), that provides education to children in prekindergarten to twelfth grade, under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  Ridgewood is a private, nonprofit, nonsectarian school located in Metairie, LA.

The complainant is the father of a six-year old boy with spina bifida. Due to his spina bifida, his son has a mobility disability, generally uses a walker, and requires catheterization once per school day.

The agreement resolves allegations that Ridgewood violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by denying the child with spina bifida admission to its pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs on the basis of his disability, failing to reasonably modify its policies, practices, and procedures to enable the child to access the school’s programs, and failing to ensure that its buildings and facilities are accessible to people with disabilities.  The DOJ investigation found that the school, among other things, had inaccessible doors, walkways, and bathrooms. 

The three-year agreement requires Ridgewood to:

• offer two years of tuition-free enrollment to the child

• upon enrollment, provide the child with reasonable modifications

• modify its facilities to make them accessible to individuals with disabilities

• revise its policies to ensure compliance with the ADA

• train relevant staff

• pay a $1,000 civil penalty to the United States

If you observe a school, building or entity that is not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act or Fair Housing Act and you would like to know how to proceed, please call Richard at 615-752-0060, or see the link at What To Do When A Building Is Not ADA Compliant or Accessible.

Thank you.