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Crime Exposed: Waterloo Bus Stop Accessibility Scandal
In a shocking turn of events, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has reached a resolution with the City of Waterloo over allegations that bus stops in the city were not accessible to citizens with disabilities during winter conditions.
The complaint, filed under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, alleged that the city’s failure to remove snow in a timely fashion was covering sidewalks, curb cuts, and crosswalks, forcing people with disabilities to operate their wheelchairs in the streets. There are over 100 bus stops located throughout the city.
“The ADA guarantees people with disabilities equal access to transportation services so that they can travel freely and enjoy autonomy,” said Kevin W. Techau, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa. “This agreement is an important step toward fulfilling the promise of the ADA even during adverse weather conditions. We commend the City of Waterloo for entering into the consent decree to ensure equal access during winter weather.”
Under the settlement, the City of Waterloo must submit a plan six months from the signing of the agreement, detailing how they will maintain accessible features at each bus stop. The plan must include standard operating procedures for snow removal, and the city will be required to submit a report to the U.S. Attorney’s Office relating to the completion of any construction work.
Executive Director for Exceptional Persons, Inc. (EPI), Christopher Sparks, commended the efforts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the City of Waterloo for working together to reach a settlement. Sparks stated, “Many of the people EPI serves rely on public transportation to meet basic needs – such as getting to and from work, medical appointments, grocery shopping, and more. A good number of those people use wheelchairs or other assistive devices for mobility. Accessible bus stops means not having to wait on a busy street for your transportation – it means safety, it means you’re welcome in the community. It’s invaluable.”
The settlement agreement is a significant victory for individuals with disabilities in the City of Waterloo, who will now have equal access to transportation services. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to monitor compliance with the agreement. Those wishing to file an ADA complaint can access the U.S. Attorney’s website at www.justice.gov/usao/ian or call 319-363-6333 for further guidance.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. For more information on the ADA, visit www.ada.gov.
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Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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