OLGT 2015-25: Implementing the Harper Settlement Agreement

Overview
Harper, et al. v. Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) was a class action lawsuit brought by disabled clients alleging that the Department violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by failing to provide disabled clients with equal access to Department benefits. The plaintiffs alleged that the Department fails to provide disabled clients with the special assistance needed to ensure that they can maintain their benefits.

The case has been settled.
Improving services to these clients is the objective of the Harper, et al. v. Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) settlement. BEACON Build 47.4 contains BEACON changes implementing the Harper settlement.

Purpose
The purpose of this transmittal is to inform DTA staff of:

• obsolete memos;
• obsolete forms;
• changes to BEACON; and
• changes to the BEACON Online Guide.

The Online Guide chapter: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that appears in the Services book in TAFDC, EAEDC and SNAP topics has been deleted. The new Harper and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) book will now appear in the Cross Programs topic.

Obsolete Memos
The following Operations Memos are now obsolete:

• 2014-6 – TAFDC, EAEDC and SNAP – Accommodation Designation on BEACON,
• 2013-64 Auxiliary Aids: Harper, et al. v. Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance,
• 2013-25 TAFDC, EAEDC and SNAP – Harper, et al. v. Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA): Posting of Proposed Settlement, and
• 2010-30 – Department Obligations Under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA): TAFDC, EAEDC and SNAP.

Obsolete Form
The following form is now obsolete:

• ADA-1 Request for an ADA Accommodation.

Deleted BEACON Online Guide Books
Topic: TAFDC
Book: Services
Chapter: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Topic: EAEDC
Book: Services
Chapter: Americans with Disabilities Act

Topic: SNAP
Book: Services
Chapter: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)