U.S. Attorney Charges Area Rec Group With Disabled Discimination

The Northern District United States Attorney's Office filed a civil lawsuit Monday against the Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association providing recreational activities for disabled adults and children in, among others, Lake in the Hills and Huntley. The suit charged the group discriminates against participants with epilepsy by refusing to administer an anti-seizure drug in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and seeks a court order to use the medication if a participant has a seizure.

“This lawsuit seeks to require NISRA to make a reasonable modification to its policies to administer a life-saving medication to participants with epilepsy who need it so that they may enjoy the same services, programs, and activities as other individuals with and without disabilities,” said Gary S. Shapiro, Acting United States Attorney.
       
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of two McHenry County girls with epilepsy who may need a rectally administered drug to control grand mal seizures.  The suit claims NISRA initially agreed to use the medication, then said it wouldn't even though it still administers anti-allergy and anti-asthma drugs.

NISRA, based in Crystal Lake, is a group of 13 park districts and municipal recreation departments that has twice earned the national Gold Medal Award for excellence in park and recreation management, presented by the National Recreation and Park Association and the Sports Foundation, Inc.