State agrees settles welfare department disability lawsuit

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State agrees settles welfare department disability lawsuit

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/connecticut/ny-bc-ct--

disabilitylawsuit0911sep11,0,5767343.story

Under the agreement, the state will spend the money to make its DSS

facilities, equipment and staff more accessible to more than 300,000

disabled clients.

U.S District Judge Mark R. Kravitz approved the settlement late

Monday after listening to comments from several people affected by

the decision.

" This agreement does not solve every problem that exists for the

disabled or for DSS as an agency, " Kravitz said. " It's all about

improving the agency by providing reasonable accommodations for the

disabled. "

The suit was brought in January 2003 after DSS began shutting down

its satellite offices in such places as Ansonia and Norwalk and

laying off employees. The cutbacks led to reduced access to many

disabled clients.

The settlement, which had been approved by the General Assembly,

includes a requirement that DSS workers inform the disabled that

they are eligible for accommodations and may receive help in

completing applications and obtaining medical documentation.

It also allows DSS workers to make accommodations for the disabled

without receiving a supervisor's approval and having DSS staff

trained in recognizing disabilities and providing the necessary

accommodations.

" This suit sought changes in practices, not monetary damages, "

according to Shirley Bergert, a lawyer for Connecticut Legal

Services, which, along with New Haven Legal Assistance and the

Greater Hartford Legal Aid Society, successfully obtained class

action status.

Bergert said the people affected by the settlement include those

with learning disabilities, physical impairments, mental health and

competency issues.