Justice Department Sues Nobel Learning Communities Inc. for Discrimination Against...

Justice Department Sues Nobel Learning Communities Inc. for Discrimination
Against Children With Disabilities

WASHINGTON, April 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Justice Department
announced today it has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia
against Nobel Learning Communities Inc. (Nobel) alleging the company violated
Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act by excluding children with
autism spectrum disorders and other disabilities from its schools and
programs.

The complaint identifies children with disabilities denied admission to or
removed from Nobel schools in several states. Nobel is a network of more than
180 private preschools, elementary schools and secondary schools in fifteen
states, operating under various names including Chesterbrook Academies,
Evergreen Academies, Bethesda Country Day School and Merryhill Schools. Nobel
also provides child care services and summer programs.

"All parents want their child to have the opportunity to reach his or her full
potential," said Loretta King, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil
Rights Division. "The Justice Department will vigorously enforce Title III of
the ADA to ensure that children with disabilities have a full and equal
opportunity to participate in academic and non-academic activities."

Title III of the ADA prohibits public accommodations, including private
schools such as Nobel, from excluding individuals with disabilities from
programs or services offered by the public accommodation. Covered entities
must also make reasonable modifications if such modifications would permit the
individual with a disability a full and equal opportunity to participate in or
benefit from the programs and services offered. Parents or guardians who
believe their child may have been discriminated against on the basis of
disability can contact the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division.

Those interested in finding out more about federal disability rights statutes
can call the Justice Department's toll-free ADA Information Line at (800)
514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 (TTY), or access the ADA Web site at www.ada.gov.

SOURCE U.S. Department of Justice

U.S. Department of Justice, +1-202-514-2007, TDD +1-202-514-1888