Welcome to Disability Rights Advocates
In May of 2007, DRA filed a California class-action lawsuit against Hotels.com, one of the world’s largest online travel agencies, for discriminating against people with disabilities by refusing to guarantee reservations for wheelchair-accessible rooms. The lawsuit is the first of its kind in the country. Because of the substantial size of the California market, the case has national implications.
The complaint, filed in the California Superior Court for Alameda County, seeks to enjoin hotels.com from continued violation of the state’s civil rights laws. No damages are being sought.
The plaintiffs, Bonnie Lewkowicz and co-plaintiff Judith Smith, are both members of the AXIS Dance Company, a not-for-profit troupe of disabled and non-disabled dancers based in Oakland, Calif. AXIS regularly tours throughout California and the nation.
Hotels.com website does not allow an individual to search for rooms accessible to the mobility impaired, nor will it guarantee that a wheelchair-accessible room will in fact be available. Individuals with disabilities cannot find out whether an accessible room is available until after they travel to their destination and then check-in at the hotel. Wheelchairs require large doorways and disabled travelers usually need grab bars and accessible bathrooms. Without such features, many cannot stay in a hotel room.
In addition to DRA, Plaintiffs are represented by Public Justice [www.tlpj.org] (formerly Trial Lawyers for Public Justice), and Chavez & Gertler LLP firm in Mill Valley, Calif.
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