ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The Henrico Police Athletic League, (Henrico PAL), which is a chapter of the National Police Athletic/Activities Leagues, Inc., has agreed to pay $5,000 to one child, provide tuition-free enrollment in its summer camp program to a second child, and take remedial action to resolve two complaints that Henrico PAL failed to modify its policies, practices, and procedures to allow children with diabetes to attend its programs.
The allegations involved two children with Type I diabetes. When Henrico PAL was informed that the children had Type I diabetes and would need help with blood glucose monitoring, insulin administration, and other diabetes care tasks, it allegedly informed one parent that her child could no longer attend its after school program and informed another parent that her child could not attend its summer camp program.
“My office is committed to ensuring that children with disabilities have the same access to child care programs as their peers without disabilities," said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Quality child care is essential to allowing parents to work or go to school. We are pleased that Henrico PAL has agreed to take steps to ensure that all of its programs will provide appropriate modifications to its policies, practices, and procedures to allow children with diabetes to attend its programs."
The Henrico PAL serves over 2,500 youth each year through its after school and summer camp programs throughout Henrico County.
To resolve these complaints, Henrico PAL has agreed to adopt policies that will make its services accessible to children with diabetes; designate an ADA Administrator, who will be responsible for ensuring Henrico PAL’s compliance with the ADA; provide assistance with diabetes care tasks for children who need it; and provide training for its personnel on the ADA’s requirements and child-specific care for each child with diabetes.
The matter was investigated by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steve Gordon, who is the Civil Rights Enforcement Coordinator for the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The civil claims settled by this Americans with Disabilities Act agreement are allegations only; there has been no determination of civil liability.
The Department of Justice has a number of publications available to assist entities in complying with the ADA, including Commonly Asked Questions About Child Care Centers and the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Justice Department has a toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383. Additionally, the National Institutes of Health has published a guide entitled Helping the Student with Diabetes Succeed: A Guide for School Personnel. ADA complaints may be filed by email to: ada.complaint@usdoj.gov.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
