Summer Camps Face ADA Scrutiny in Indiana

Indianapolis – In a move to ensure equal opportunities for children with disabilities, United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler is cracking down on summer camps in Indiana that fail to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is circulating a flyer to hundreds of summer camps reminding them of their obligations under the ADA, which requires camps to make reasonable modifications to enable campers with disabilities to participate fully in all camp programs and activities.

Under the ADA, summer camps, both private and those run by municipalities, must make reasonable modifications to enable campers with disabilities to participate fully in all camp programs and activities. This generally means that children with disabilities are entitled to attend any camp or activity that non-disabled children attend, that camps must evaluate each child on an individual basis, and that camps must train their staff in the requirements of the ADA.

“Summer camps present tremendous growth opportunities for children to learn independence, try new activities and gain self-confidence,” Minkler said. “The law requires camps to provide equal opportunities to disabled children whose needs can be reasonably accommodated.”

Camps are obligated to pay for the cost of any reasonable modifications necessary for disabled children to participate in camp activities, and parents should not be charged any additional fee beyond standard camp enrollment costs.

Additional information about the ADA is available at www.ada.gov, the ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 (Voice) and (800) 514-0383 (TTY) or by contacting the U.S. Attorney’s Office at (317) 226-6333, Toll-Free (888) 368-5067, TTY (317) 226-5438 or via e-mail at usains.webmaster@usdoj.gov.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to ensuring that all children, regardless of their abilities, have equal access to summer camps and the opportunities they provide.

Minkler’s warning comes as summer is officially upon us, and many families are making plans for their children to attend summer camps. Parents and camp organizers are reminded to ensure that their summer camps are in compliance with the ADA and to make reasonable modifications to accommodate children with disabilities.

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