DeCamp Ordered to Remove Advance Notice for Wheelchair Access Language

The U.S. Department of Justice announced Wednesday it has reached a settlement With DeCamp Bus Lines over a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Montclair-based DeCamp has 30 days to comply with the terms of the settlement, which include removing any mentions on the bus company’s website and schedules which indicate a passenger needs to give 48 hours notice to obtain a wheelchair-accessible bus.

While all DeCamp’s buses are wheelchair-accessible as required by law, and advanced notification was not needed, the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey found the bus company in violation of ADA requirements after a compliance review was performed on March 27, 2013.

The review found references on DeCamp’s website and bus schedules indicating the need to provide 48 hours notice to obtain a wheelchair-accessible bus. The review also found DeCamp employees verbally said passengers needed to give advanced notice.

As part of the settlement, DeCamp will be required to train its employees and contractors about the ADA requirements.

“People with disabilities should not be forced to take needless action simply to use a bus service designed for everyone,” U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Paul J. Fishman said. “With this settlement, the Justice Department ensures individuals riding DeCamp will receive correct information about their access to transportation, and that access will not be denied.”

Title III of the ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities by public accommodations, which includes bus companies. 

In order to meet ADA requirements, the Department of Transportation has required fixed-route motorcoach bus fleets be 100 percent accessible to people with disabilities, including those who use  wheelchairs.