North Las Vegas Mayor’s Office Fined $38,229 for Disability Discrimination

A city of North Las Vegas Parks Department maintenance crew leader with monocular vision was allegedly forced out by the city for failing to meet a commercial driver’s license requirement, despite being able to perform the essential functions of the job with a reasonable accommodation.

According to a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada, the city revoked the employee’s long-standing reasonable accommodation, which exempted him from obtaining a commercial driver’s license, even though it did not impose an undue hardship on the city.

“Revoking a reasonable accommodation is a clear violation of the ADA, absent undue hardship on the employer,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Molly Moran for the Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is committed to knocking down barriers to equal employment opportunities for people with disabilities. We applaud the city for working cooperatively with the department to promptly resolve this matter.”

The consent decree, which must be approved by the court, requires the city to pay the employee $38,229 for monetary and compensatory damages, provide training to city staff on Title I of the ADA, and file periodic reports with the department.

“This case highlights the importance of providing reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities,” said a spokesperson for the city. “We are committed to creating a workplace that is inclusive and welcoming to all employees, regardless of their abilities.”

The Justice Department alleged that the city’s actions were a clear violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits employers from discriminating against individuals on the basis of disability in various aspects of employment.

Those interested in learning more about the ADA may call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA information line at 800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit www.ada.gov.

The city of North Las Vegas has agreed to provide training on Title I of the ADA to its staff, and will file periodic reports with the Justice Department to ensure compliance with the consent decree.