Government report faults Justice Department for failing Americans with disabilities

{mosads}“In order to ensure individuals with disabilities have equal opportunity to pursue their education and career goals,” the GAO stated in its report, “it is imperative for Justice to establish a credible enforcement presence to detect, correct, and prevent violations.”

The report was commissioned by California Reps. George Miller and Pete Stark, the ranking Democrats on the House Education and the Workforce Committee and Ways and Means subcommittee on Health, respectively.

“This report shows that testing companies are shirking the law at a great cost to intelligent, talented people seeking to advance their careers,” Stark said in a statement. “The Department of Justice has not set up a good system for policing these testing companies, which clearly need an active watchdog.”

The two lawmakers called on Attorney General Eric Holder to adopt the report’s recommendations.

“After reviewing this study,” they wrote to Holder, “we request the DOJ develop a strategic approach to strengthen testing companies’ compliance with the law and ensure individuals with disabilities receive access to accommodations.”

In particular, the lawmakers called for greater cooperation between DOJ and the Education and Health and Human Services departments, which also have jurisdiction under the Americans with Disabilities Act.