LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Feb. 23 that Graceworks Lutheran Services, a Dayton, Ohio-based housing and care service provider, will pay $30,660 after allegations of disability discrimination.
Graceworks Lutheran Services purportedly refused to hire Michelle Anthony because she is deaf and cannot speak. According to the EEOC, Anthony applied to be a site manager at one of the company’s housing communities. Despite the housing complex giving preference to deaf individuals, the company mandated that the position be filled by an individual with hearing, it is alleged.
Alleged conduct of this nature violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). the EEOC first tried to reach a settlement prior to litigation through the agency’s conciliation process. When that failed, the EEOC filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.
In addition to the compensatory damages awarded to Anthony, the company must also institute anti-discrimination training, reporting of discrimination claims and a prohibition on discrimination or retaliation of any kind.