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November 21, 2007 By Suzette Hackney The U.S. Department of Justice wants to join in the fight for more wheelchair accessibility at the University of Michigan's Big House and conduct an emergency inspection of the stadium. Justice officials filed motions Tuesday to intervene in a federal lawsuit the Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America filed against U-M. The lawsuit claims the stadium does not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and needs more than 1,080 wheelchair-friendly seats. The Justice Department also filed a motion asking for permission to inspect the 80-year-old stadium, where a three-year, $226-million renovation is in its early stages. The stadium has about 90 wheelchair-accessible seats. Under the proposed renovation and expansion, the stadium would have 592 wheelchair-accessible seats. "Attending football games is a key element of campus life at the University of Michigan, both for students and alumni," said Rena J. Comisac, acting assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. In court papers, the department alleges that U-M and its Board of Regents violated and continue to violate Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act by failing to make the football stadium accessible, discriminating against people with disabilities. On Monday, university officials offered a compromise, promising to tweak renovation plans and convert some bench seating to handicap seating by using portable platforms. The U.S. Department of Education rejected the proposal. An attorney for the veterans said Tuesday that he welcomes the Justice Department's involvement. "Their involvement shows that the University of Michigan has intentionally and systematically violated the civil rights of disabled people," attorney Richard Bernstein said. In a prepared statement Tuesday, the university said: "We believe that Michigan Stadium is in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and to achieve a timely resolution that meets interests of all parties, the university put forth a good faith plan ... that would more than quadruple the number of seats available to our mobility-impaired ticket holders." Today's hearing on the motions is scheduled for 10 a.m. before Judge Sean F. Cox in U.S. District Court. Contact SUZETTE HACKNEY at 313-222-6614 or shackney@freepress.com. Staff writer Robin Erb contributed.
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