The United States has reached a settlement with Spanky’s Driving Academy, Inc., based in Franklin, Tennessee, and its owner Chris Medina. The agreement resolves allegations that the Academy violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by imposing impermissible eligibility criteria and failing to provide necessary auxiliary aids for effective communication to a hearing-impaired student.
Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire for the Middle District of Tennessee announced the resolution. "This settlement shows that the Department of Justice is committed to assisting those with disabilities in having equal access to services offered in our community," McGuire stated. He emphasized that it is against federal law to discriminate against individuals who are deaf or hearing impaired when offering services such as driver education classes.
The complaint was filed by a parent whose child, now deaf but hearing impaired at the time, registered for driving lessons at the Academy in September 2024. The child uses American Sign Language as their primary means of communication and had requested assistance from Chris Medina for effective communication during classes. However, Medina allegedly refused to use the provided method for communication and declined to conduct the in-car driving component due to stereotypes about hearing impairments. Consequently, the parent withdrew their child from the class.
Under ADA regulations, public accommodations must not discriminate against individuals with disabilities and are required to make reasonable modifications unless doing so would fundamentally alter their services or impose an undue burden.
As part of the settlement, Spanky’s Driving Academy agreed not to discriminate against any individual on the basis of disability and will ensure effective communication through reasonable modifications and auxiliary aids where necessary. The Academy will also pay $4,000 to the complainant and a $2,000 civil penalty to the United States.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kimberly Veirs and Ellen Bowden McIntyre investigated and negotiated this settlement agreement. It should be noted that these civil claims are allegations only; no liability determination has been made.
The ADA was enacted on July 26, 1990, affirming rights for people with disabilities to participate fully in society alongside others.
For more information about ADA rights or filing complaints, resources are available through various channels including toll-free lines and websites provided by the Justice Department.
