« Students find sign language 'beautiful' | Main | Hearing aids for healthy ears »
March 5, 2006
Jury awards $108,000 to deaf FedEx employee
A federal jury has awarded $108,000 in punitive and compensatory damages to a deaf worker who accused Federal Express Corporation of failing to provide him with a reasonable accommodation in the form of American Sign Language interpreters.
In a lawsuit on behalf of Ronald Lockhart, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) alleged the company violated the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ( ADA ) by failing to provide reasonable accommodations to Lockhart, despite his repeated requests.
Lockhart worked as a package handler at the company's Baltimore Ramp.
"This verdict sends victims and their employers a big message," says EEOC regional attorney Jacqueline McNair. "Employers must provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. It is the employer's responsibility to demonstrate that it is committed to fully adhere to the requirements of the ADA on behalf of disabled employees, and that they are not to be treated like second-class citizens."
In fiscal year 2005, the EEOC received 14,893 complaints from individuals alleging disability discrimination, filed 46 ADA lawsuits against employers, and recovered more than $48 million in total monetary benefits through enforcement and litigation.
Source: http://hr.blr.com/display.cfm/id/17886
Posted by 4HL on March 5, 2006 3:36 AM
Send this article to a friend