<p>The above is a copy of the OCR letter to the University. I believe this is a violation letter, which is extremely rare since OCR routinely resolves violations through negotiations. Here negotiations have failed and OCR has given them 7 days to resolve this matter. If not, OCR could refer the matter to Justice for injunctive relief in the Federal courts or begin an internal hearing process within the Department of Education designed to cut off all departmental funding to the University. Note that if they do the latter other Federal funding agencies might adopt ED’s finding and also cut off their funding to the University.</p>
<p>I know OCR and for them to have written this letter means they have political approval probably all the ways up to the White House, and that they are very angry. The language is incredibly strong. They believe that Michigan has lied to and mislead them. A very bad thing to do.</p>
<p>I am very surprised, and pleased, to see my former agency take such strong actions</p>
<p>I’m not certain I want to see all Federal funding to the University of Michigan cut off over wheelchair-accessible 50-yard-line seats and wheelchair-accessible “toilet rooms” for football games. I don’t think it will come to that. (I wouldn’t mind seeing all Federal funding to the Michigan football team ended, though. Ha ha.) On the other hand, without hearing Michigan’s side of the story, the Wolverines sure do look like incompetents and jerks. It seems pretty safe to say that they haven’t exactly been taking their obligations to the disabled seriously enough over the past eight years.</p>
<p>EDIT: OK, one can infer Michigan’s side of the story from what NJRes posted. That makes the whole thing seem even more incomprehensible. They’ve really screwed up in how they’ve handled this with Education.</p>
<p>If you’ve never been disabled, it’s hard to imagine how difficult it can be to deal with restroom or accessibility issues. I spent 12 weeks on crutches this summer, following surgery. It was a very difficult recovery, made even more difficult by the lack of accessible restrooms, ramps, elevators etc.</p>
<p>Surely, the U of M has had some idea this was a problem for quite some time? To ignore the challenges faced by those with disabilities must be counter to their educational mission.</p>
<p>I was disabled (using a wheelchair or walker) for about four months last year as the result of a badly broken leg.</p>
<p>I learned to have a great appreciation for truly accessible facilities. So should everyone else because there will come a time when you or someone else in your family needs them.</p>
<p>Michigan needs to get its act together. Right now.</p>
<p>Count me as another person who had a rapid enlightenment into the necessity of accessible facilities. My 80 lb 10 year old was in a wheelchair after surgery last year. Attending an Indianapolis Colts game was an exercise in exhaustion. No, they couldn’t exchange our tickets for ones in the handicapped section. No, we would not be allowed to take her up to our section in her wheelchair. Bravo to her 18yo loving brother who carried her up all those flights and to her seat.</p>
<p>What I find absolutely astounding is that they attempted to mislead OCR, denied them information, and lied. I’ve had one of the three occur, but never all three from such an august recipient of Federal financial assistance. Once OCR gets involved in something they can be very, very thorough. As an OCR alum, with a special interest in accessibility, I’m pretty excited to see what amounts to a violation letter; something I had only heard about but had never actually seen in the time I was in the agency. As an employee of a sister Big 10 institution I am very concerned. I circulated copies of the finding to appropriate people on our campus.</p>
<p>This letter undoubtedly was vetted by many, many people in DC, both career staff and political appointees. The CC on the bottom of the last page is to the Deputy General Counsel of the Department who is the chief career person in that office.</p>
<p>The University of Michigan is deeply committed to ensuring the accessibility of Michigan Stadium by all patrons who require accessible seating and is in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Every ticket holder who has required an accessible seat has been accommodated. Furthermore, plans currently under way specify significant additions to the number of accessible seats at a range of excellent locations in the stadium, as well as improvements in the accessibility of parking, restrooms, and concessions.<br>
Improvements specified under the current plan would greatly exceed projected demand from fans.</p>
<p>The Department of Education has been fully informed of our activities and plans, and the University has been in earnest discussions aimed at gaining their support for our aggressive efforts to further meet the needs of our ticket holders with mobility impairments. The University has also fully cooperated in good faith with the Department of Education, granting all of their requests for relevant information throughout the course of their investigation. We were therefore surprised and disappointed that they unexpectedly issued a negative statement that not only contains misinformation but also ignores the many measures we have already taken-as well as those we are now undertaking-to enhance access to the Michigan Stadium. We hope that this letter will not interfere with our continuing efforts to resolve this important issue in a constructive manner.</p>
<p>Hehe…This is nothing compared to the lawsuits UC Berkeley is facing from the city of Berkeley and environmental groups over its planned renovation of Memorial Stadium. The stadium straddles a fault line, and the city is concerned about life safety issues over a new training facility planned to abut the stadium. Environmental groups oppose the necessary oak tree removal.</p>
<p>The case went to court and the decision is now in the hands of a judge. The judge is expected to issue a ruling within the next month or two.</p>