Burlington, VT – Stepping Stones Children’s Center, Inc., a childcare center in Burlington, Vermont, has agreed to settle allegations that it was not operating in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont, Stepping Stones, which provides childcare services for children ages 2 years old to 5 years old, terminated a child from the program because of his disability. The parents of the child filed an ADA complaint, alleging that the center was not providing equal access to children with disabilities.
Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Stepping Stones will implement nondiscriminatory policies, practices, and procedures for children with disabilities who wish to attend their childcare center. The center will also train its staff on compliance with Title III of the ADA and evaluate each request for reasonable modifications on an individualized basis.
“Access to childcare is crucial for all families, including families with children with disabilities,” said United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest. “We are glad that Stepping Stones has recognized its obligation to come into compliance with the law and has committed to being inclusive of children with disabilities.”
The settlement agreement also requires Stepping Stones to pay compensatory damages to the parents who filed the complaint. The amount of the damages was not disclosed.
For more information on the ADA, visit www.ada.gov or call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TDD). The Civil Rights Program at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont enforces federal civil and criminal civil rights laws, including the ADA.
Defendant: Stepping Stones Children’s Center, Inc.
Exact criminal charges: ADA Non-Compliance
City and state: Burlington, Vermont
Exact date: N/A
Sentence or outcome: Settlement agreement
Dollar amounts: Compensatory damages paid to the parents who filed the complaint (amount not disclosed)
Key Facts
- State: Vermont
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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