Settlement reached to aid in access for disabled at Belleville fairgrounds
From Illinois Business Journal news services
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, says his office has entered into a settlement agreement with the Belle-Clair Fairgrounds and Expo Center over access to its grandstand in Belleville.
The agreement was reached after the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice investigated a complaint alleging Belle-Clair failed to remove barriers that prohibited disabled individuals from participating in grandstand activities.
Wigginton said Belle-Clair has “committed to ensuring that individuals with disabilities receive the full and equal enjoyment of its goods and services,” as required by Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Belle-Clair agreed to undertake specific barrier removal throughout the grandstand by Sept. 30, 2017, he said. Additionally, Belle-Clair will provide written notification to all vendors, lessees, and security staff that when the facility is open to the public, accessible parking spaces are available only to those vehicles with state-issued accessible vehicle tags, plates, or decals, he said.
People who believe they have been excluded from participation in activities of any public entity, or been subjected to discrimination due to a disability, may file a complaint, nationwide, online at www.ADA.gov or, within the Southern District of Illinois, by contacting the United States Attorney’s Office at 9 Executive Drive Fairview Heights, IL 62208.
