FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CR

THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 1995 (202) 616-2765

TDD (202) 514-1888

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND SEARS REACH SETTLEMENT UNDER THE

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Under a settlement reached today with

the Department of Justice, Sears, Roebuck and Co. will make its
"Model's Club Program" -- a 4-session course in fashion modeling
for children ages 8-17 -- more accessible to children with
disabilities.
The settlement resolves a complaint filed under the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) against the Sears Model's
Club program by Summer Nicole Peavy, a Seminole, Florida girl who
has spina bifida and uses a wheelchair. According to her mother,
Jean Peavy, a Sears Model's Club Program instructor said the girl
could not participate because the class used a runway that was
one foot off the ground. Furthermore, the program instructor
allegedly said she thought the girl would be out of place with
the other children, and suggested that the mother consider a more
personalized alternative that would rely upon individualized
instruction and attention.
"Stereotypical attitudes regarding what people with
disabilities can and cannot do are still present in our nation,"
said Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Deval L.
Patrick. "By entering into this agreement Sears is doing its
part towards eliminating the attitudinal barriers faced each day
by persons with disabilities."
According to the agreement, Summer Peavy will be allowed to
attend a 4-session course at a Sears store location of her
choosing, tuition-free, and Sears will pay her $3500.
Sears has also agreed to:
​ provide training materials to Model's Club Program
instructors about ADA requirements;

​ ensure that all ramps and runways used by the Model's

Club Program comply with the ADA;

​ distribute a policy statement confirming that Sears

will not discriminate against children with
disabilities who want to participate in the Model's
Club Program; and

​ ensure that all informational materials state that the

program is open to all interested children ages 8
through 17, including those with disabilities.

The girl -- who will be a sixth-grader this fall -- was the

1989 Easter Seals poster child for her county and served as a
youth ambassador for the March of Dimes. Most recently, she was
selected to be the international poster child for Shriner's
Hospitals.
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