By WMBD TV
PEORIA – The Department of Justice announced that it has entered a settlement agreement with CEFCU on Thursday to resolve alleged violations of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
According to a news release from the DOJ, the agreement will require CEFCU to adopt an ADA policy, train its staff and provide services to the complainant. CEFCU did not admit to violating the ADA, but did agree to a monetary payment to the complainant to resolve the matter.
This settlement is related to a complaint that alleged the credit union refused to serve a customer with a hearing disability because they were using an interpreter to communicate on a call. The complaint stated that CEFCU said it could not proceed with a third party on the phone.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois investigated this complaint due to the ADA requirement that states that places of public accommodation, like banks or credit unions, must provide equal access to their services and respond to telephone calls from individuals using sign language interpreters in the same manner they respond to other telephone calls.
“Many people with disabilities communicate through interpreters and the law protects their right to equal access through such services,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua I. Grant for the Central District of Illinois. “We appreciate CEFCU’s cooperation and commitment to ensuring access to its services for all of its customers. We encourage all business and places of public accommodation in the Central District of Illinois to review their policies and training, so they are prepared to facilitate or provide interpretive services when needed.”
WMBD TV can be reached at [email protected].
