After numerous complaints filed under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Wells Fargo & Co. has agreed to provide equal access for individuals with disabilities, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

ADA complaints filed by individuals who are deaf, are hard of hearing or have speech disabilities, alleged Wells Fargo would not do business with them over the phone using a telecommunications relay service, according to a statement. Instead, the individuals were directed to call a TTY/TDD line that asked them to leave a message, which went unanswered.

"Individuals who have disabilities must not be denied equal access to the services offered by financial institutions simply because of their disability," said Thomas E. Perez, assistant attorney general for the civil rights division. "The department is aware that other major financial institutions are refusing to communicate with individuals with disabilities who use relay services to communicate by telephone. These refusals are discrimination, and other financial institutions must follow Wells Fargo’s example and accept relay calls immediately."

Wells Fargo will pay up to $16 million to compensate individuals harmed by certain violations of Title III of the ADA, according to a statement. The company will also pay a $55,000 civil penalty to the United States. In addition, Wells Fargo is making $1 million in charitable donations to nonprofit organizations that will assist veterans with disabilities resulting from injuries sustained while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan to live independently in the community.