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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Tim Wheat
The Memphis Center for Independent Living

work phone: 726-6404
fax: 726-6521
home: 272-9586

July 26, 1997

Local banks ignore the needs of mid-southerners with disabilities

(MEMPHIS, July 26) Tennessee Bank and Trust, Nations Bank and First Tennessee Bank adopted policies that favor citizens that drive a car. Although the State issued non-drivers ID card requires the same forms of identification, and carry exactly the same authority from the state of Tennessee, the banks arbitrarily consider the non-driver ID as a secondary form of identification.

A stylized fist and the phrase: piss on pity.

The impact is insulting and demeaning to citizens with disabilities that have encountered the double standard. Many Americans choose not to, or cannot drive a motor vehicle due to a sensory or physical impairment. All fifty states, however, offer alternative identification to those people that are not licensed to drive. Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is very clear that "it is discrimination to apply eligibility criteria or standards that screen out or tend to screen out an individual with a disability." (DREDF III p. 74)

The Memphis Center for Independent Living, a community based organization advocating for people with disabilities, is demanding change.

First, that the banks who currently discriminate against citizens that do not drive, correct their policies within 21 days.
Secondly, the banks administrator in charge of compliance with the ADA, inform all of the company staff and employees the import of respecting the civil rights of all Americans.
Finally, that all banks evaluate their identification criteria in respect to the law.

Although the bank's stated concern is to limit fraud, it is offensive to disabled Americans that the needs of people with disabilities can be treated with blatant indifference.

###

Letter to NationsBank
News Release: The Maximum Ramp Project
News Release: Memphis taxis sued for ADA violation
News Release: Banks become accessible

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The Memphis Center for Independent Living
1633 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 726-6404 v/tty (901) 726-6521 fax
mcil@mcil.org

MCIL is a United Way of the Mid-South member Agency United Way of the Mid-South brandmark.

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