Architectural Barriers
August 14, 2013
In October 2017, Disability Rights Advocates and Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP, on behalf of United Spinal Association, Inc. and four individuals with mobility, vision, and hearing disabilities, settled a federal class action lawsuit against Beth Israel Medical Center, St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, and Continuum Health Partners. The hospitals are … Continue reading » “United Spinal Association et al. v. Beth Israel Medical Center et al.”
November 20, 2012
In 2012, DRA filed a lawsuit on behalf of Legal Services for Prisoners with Children (LSPC) and taxpayers Barbara Michel and Laura Magnani. The lawsuit alleged that Santa Rita Jail failed to provide for basic needs of people with disabilities by forcing people with mobility disabilities to live in inaccessible housing units that lacked basic … Continue reading » “Legal Services for Prisoners with Children (LSPC) et al. v. Ahern et al.”
September 21, 2012
The Spieler v. Mt. Diablo Consent Decree negotiated in 2000, represents the most sweeping school access settlement to date under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Consent Decree created equal access to school buildings, educational programs, and social programs. Mt. Diablo School District has committed $20 million over ten years to ensure equal access for … Continue reading » “Spieler v. Mt. Diablo Unified School District”
September 21, 2012
In 1998, DRA settled a class action lawsuit with U-Haul, whereby U-Haul agreed to: Make significant modifications to its vehicle rental, retail, and storage facilities to bring those facilities into compliance with ADA regulations Provide accessible information to customers with disabilities regarding access and other disability-related issues Make best reasonable efforts to provide removable hand … Continue reading » “Richard v. U-haul”
September 21, 2012
In one of the first cases under the ADA concerning access to business to go to trial, DRA prevailed on behalf of a class of all persons with mobility disabilities who were denied access to Macy’s flagship store at Union Square in San Francisco. Subsequently, in Camalo v. Macy’s, a global settlement was reached resolving … Continue reading » “Macy’s Cases”
September 21, 2012
In September of 2005, a settlement was reached to improve access for soldiers and their family members with disabilities to housing and access at Fort Lewis in Washington, the West Coast headquarters of the U.S. Army. DRA, Stritmatter Kessler Whelan Withey & Coluccio, Brancart & Brancart, and Trial Lawyers for Public Justice represented the plaintiffs … Continue reading » “PADD v. Equity Residential”
September 21, 2012
In July of 2011, DRA reached a settlement with the N.Y. Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) that resulted in the installation of an elevator at the Dyckman Street subway station. DRA represented the United Spinal Association, whose members live with physical disabilities due to spinal cord injuries and disorders, in this lawsuit against the MTA. The … Continue reading » “United Spinal Association v. N.Y. Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)”
September 21, 2012
This case set a nationwide precedent requiring cities and other public entities to make all public sidewalks accessible to people with mobility and vision disabilities. The court ruled that public entities must address barriers such as missing or unsafe curb cuts throughout the public sidewalk system, as well as barriers that block access along the … Continue reading » “Barden v. Sacramento”
September 14, 2012
In 2010, DRA; Jose Allen, partner at Skadden, Arps, Meagher & Flom LLP; and AARP Foundation Litigation (AFL) achieved a landmark $1.1 billion dollar settlement with Caltrans, the largest architectural access settlement to date for people with disabilities. Under the settlement, Caltrans agreed to improve the surface conditions of thousands of miles of sidewalks and … Continue reading » “Californians for Disability Rights, Inc. (CDR), et al. v. California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)”
August 28, 2012
In December 2006, DRA filed a class action lawsuit against Sutter in California state court on behalf of individuals with mobility and sensory disabilities alleging that Sutter maintained barriers to access in three areas: (1) architectural barriers at Sutter facilities; (2) policies, practices, and procedures that did not accommodate individuals with physical disabilities at Sutter … Continue reading » “Thompson v. Sutter Health”
