Justice Department Settles Lawsuit Against TSI Summer Camps to Provide EqualOpportunity to Summer Campers With Diabetes

21 March 2006

The Justice Department today announced a joint consent decree with Town Sports International, Inc. (TSI), and its Wellesley, Mass., camp location to resolve a lawsuit filed by parents of a child with insulin-dependant diabetes. The agreement will ensure equal opportunity at TSI camps for children with diabetes.

"Today's agreement gives children with diabetes the same opportunities as other children to participate in all of the activities offered at TSI camps," said Wan J. Kim, assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. "This lawsuit is a matter of public importance, and I commend TSI for working with us to open doors for children with diabetes and other disabilities. The Justice Department will continue to vigorously enforce the ADA so that summer camps, after-school programs and enrichment activities are available to all children."

The consent decree, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, resolves allegations that TSI excluded the plaintiff because of her diabetes in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Under the decree, the company and its local sport club have agreed to provide all campers with diabetes with an equal opportunity to attend TSI camps and to participate in all camp programs, services, or activities.

TSI will evaluate the application of each child with diabetes applying to attend TSI camp, on a case by case basis, and will make reasonable accommodations to permit children with diabetes to attend TSI camps. Accommodations may include, but are not limited to, supervising campers while they monitor blood glucose levels, use insulin pumps, syringes, or other diabetes- related medical equipment, and monitor consumption of food. The consent decree will remain in effect for three years.

"Diabetes, nor any other disability, should keep children from participating in summer camp," said Michael J. Sullivan, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts. "Camps and childcare providers should be on notice that their policies and practices can not limit or preclude the participation of children with disabilities. Diabetics live full and productive lives and should not suffer discrimination in any community programs or services."

People interested in finding out more about the ADA or the agreement can call the Justice Department's toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TTY), or access its ADA Web site at http://www.ada.gov.

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