WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. — The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the West Memphis School District (WMSD) for declining an employee’s request for temporary remote work as a reasonable accommodation, the department announced Tuesday, April 9.
According to the Justice Department, a school science curriculum specialist with a disability asked for the accommodation to avoid damage to her health, but WMSD rejected the request without discussing it or alternative arrangements with the employee, forcing her to resign, the lawsuit claimed.
The denial violated Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities when it does not give the employer undue hardship, the Justice Department said.
WMSD's superintendent, Dr. Terrence Brown, released the following statement:
We are aware of the press release issued by the Department of Justice. At this time WMSD has not been provided a copy of this lawsuit or any other documents. All personnel matters remain private and the District is committed to work directly and cooperatively with all parties involved.
The Civil Rights Division’s Disability Rights Section is working the case.