By Donita Naylor
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse also commented on the settlement between the U.S. Department of Justice, the State of Rhode Island, and the City of Providence over violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act that affected about 200 disabled Rhode Islanders:
"I appreciate the hard work of DOJ, and the leadership of the City and the State to resolve this matter. I hope today's settlement serves as a first step toward improving services and opportunities for disabled Rhode Islanders."
The federal investigation found that Rhode Island and the City of Providence violated the rights of disabled students and unnecessarily segregated them at the Harold H. Birch Vocational School and the Training Thru Placement program.