BOSTON — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Massachusetts), published as received.
BOSTON – The U.S. Attorney’s Office has reached an agreement with The McLean Hospital in resolve accessibility issues in McLean’s Gunderson Residence program. The agreement comes after the U.S Attorney’s Office received a complaint alleging that McLean Hospital turned away prospective patients in wheelchairs because it could not accommodate them at the Gunderson Residence.
“I want to commend McLean Hospital for its eagerness to make the Gunderson Residence accessible to those with mobility-related disabilities,” said United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz. “The Hospital’s cooperation demonstrates how much society can achieve when it prioritizes giving disabled individuals full access to all services, including medical care.”
Under the terms of the settlement, McLean will bring the Gunderson Residence’s common areas into compliance with the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. Additionally, McLean agrees to provide alternative equivalent housing arrangements to patients who qualify for the Gunderson Residence but who are unable to use stairs because of a mobility-related disability. McLean will also train its staff in these new policies.
As soon as it became aware of the complaint, McLean Hospital worked with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to resolve its disability access issue.
The ADA requires places of public accommodation, including hospitals, to provide individuals with disabilities equal access to facilities. More information on the ADA is available at www.ADA.gov.
This case was handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Dorchak of Ortiz’s Civil Rights Unit.
