Commission on Human Rights
Kentucky Commission on Human Rights October Rulings

LOUISVILLE – The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights Board of Commissioners in its meeting today approved one conciliation agreement, dismissed 18 cases with findings of no probable cause, accepted four withdrawals with private, undisclosed settlements, and accepted three withdrawals without settlements but with the right to file private suits.

In the matter of Ronald Perry v. the Marion County Board of Education in Lebanon, Ky., Perry alleged the Marion County High School discriminated against him based on his disability, a violation of the Kentucky Civil Rights Act and the U.S. Americans with Disabilities Act. He alleged the school provided an inadequate number of handicapped parking spaces and inadequate seating for people with disabilities in the gymnasium, therefore denying him equal access to school sporting events. During its investigation, the Kentucky Human Rights Commission found probable cause to support the complaint. The parties agreed to conciliate the matter rather than pursue litigation. The Marion County Board of Education denies any violation of the law. The school board agreed to provide the required number of accessible parking spaces and provide adequate seating in the gymnasium at the high school for people with disabilities. The board confirmed that it has already made these modifications. The board agreed to compensate Mr. Perry with $2,000 and undergo civil rights compliance training and commission monitoring for compliance for three years. 

 In other business, the commission passed a resolution to support the Kentucky Postsecondary Education Council and Kentucky Higher Education institutions in their mission to perform diversity planning. The commission supports this endeavor to ensure equal education opportunities and provide quality, sustainable higher education to Kentucky minority students, the resolution said.

The commission passed a second resolution to recognize one of the oldest minority newspapers in the country, The Louisville Defender, on its 75^th anniversary.

The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights is the state government agency that enforces the Kentucky Civil Rights Act and the policies of federal civil rights laws, all of which make discrimination illegal.

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