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October 8, 2005

Deaf man sues city

From: Wyoming News, WY - Oct 8, 2005

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- A deaf man is suing the city of Ogden, accusing it of discrimination after police officers allegedly wouldn't let him write down his side of the story before giving him a ticket in a traffic accident.

Terrence Cantrell filed a discrimination claim against the city last week in U.S. District Court, alleging Ogden violated the Americans with Disabilities Act in Cantrell's traffic case after the accident in August 2004.

Cantrell, who runs the deaf mentor program for the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Ogden, is seeking unspecified damages and an order requiring the city to establish policies on effective communication with people who are deaf.

"All we want is equal access," Cantrell said.

Cantrell said Ogden police refused to allow him to write out his account of the accident and that he wasn't provided an interpreter for later interviews.

The Utah Association for the Deaf has joined Cantrell in the suit, which also names Utah Risk Management Mutual Association, which provides services to Ogden.

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