North Carolina Company Accused of ADA Violations in Hiring

Champion Media, LLC, a publishing company based in North Carolina, violated federal employment laws by refusing to hire a qualified deaf job applicant due to her disability and by denying her a reasonable accommodation, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) alleged in a lawsuit filed today. This alleged refusal to accommodate, compounded by the company’s failure to follow hiring practices free from disability discrimination, stands in direct violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The EEOC’s lawsuit, filed today in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina (Case No. 7:24-cv-00707), details how a deaf applicant, who met all qualifications for the position, applied to work at Champion Media’s printing facility in Lumberton, North Carolina. After participating in an initial interview via phone with the assistance of a video relay service, the applicant was chosen to proceed to an in-person interview. Recognizing her communication needs, she requested a sign language interpreter as a reasonable accommodation for this second interview. However, instead of granting this request, Champion Media opted to cancel the interview and ultimately chose not to hire her. The EEOC argues that this decision reflects a broader pattern of disability discrimination against qualified applicants.

“Federal law is clear that disability discrimination is illegal,” said Melinda C. Dugas, regional attorney for the EEOC’s Charlotte District Office. “The EEOC is here to make sure that employment discrimination laws are strictly observed.” In cases such as this, where companies disregard the lawful requirements to provide accommodations, the EEOC intervenes to ensure compliance with employment laws designed to protect workers with disabilities. According to the ADA, employers must make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities, provided that doing so does not impose undue hardship on the business.

The EEOC initially sought a pre-litigation resolution through its administrative conciliation process, which aims to negotiate compliance without a lawsuit. However, Champion Media’s refusal to reach an agreement led to the current legal action. By filing this lawsuit, the EEOC hopes to establish that disability discrimination is unacceptable and that denying reasonable accommodations infringes on the rights of applicants with disabilities to pursue fair and equal employment opportunities.

The outcome of this lawsuit could serve as a powerful reminder to employers across the country that hiring decisions must be free from bias, and that companies are legally obligated to provide accommodations whenever possible.