FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CRT

THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2006 (202) 514-2007

WWW.USDOJ.GOV TDD (202) 514-1888

Justice Department Signs Agreement

with Arlington County, Virginia to
Ensure Civic Access for People with
Disabilities
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Justice Department today announced an agreement
with Arlington County, Va. to improve access to all aspects of civic life for persons
with disabilities. The far reaching agreement was signed today at the Arlington
County Board Room with County Manager Ron Carlee. The agreement was reached
under, “Project Civic Access,” a Justice Department initiative to bring localities into
full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

“I applaud Arlington County officials for their commitment to making their

community accessible to all of its citizens, both with and without disabilities,” said
Wan J. Kim, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “As a result
of today’s agreement, people with disabilities in Arlington will now be able to
participate more fully in fundamental aspects of community life, including serving
on juries at the Arlington Courthouse, viewing the County website, accessing
emergency services, and enjoying County libraries, recreation centers, community
centers, and parks.”

Project Civic Access was initiated to ensure that people with disabilities have an
equal opportunity to participate in civic life. As part of the project, DOJ
investigators, attorneys, and architects survey state and local government facilities
and programs across the country for the purpose of identifying modifications needed
to comply with ADA requirements. Depending on the circumstances in each
community, the agreements address specific areas where access can be improved.
Last year alone, the number of people with disabilities living in jurisdictions that
signed Project Civic Access agreements with the Department was more than 1
million. To date, the Department has entered into 145 settlement agreements with
villages, towns, cities, and counties across the country under Project Civic Access,
105 of which were made during the past five years.

People interested in finding out more about the ADA or today’s agreement with
Arlington County can access the ADA home page at http://www.ada.gov. or call the
toll-free ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 (TDD).

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