Goodlaxson v. Baltimore
In June 2021, DRA, along with Disability Rights Maryland (DRM), Civil Rights Education and Enforcement Center (CREEC) (now Disability Law United), and Dardarian Ho Kan & Lee, filed a lawsuit in federal court against the City of Baltimore for its failure to properly install and maintain curb ramps and sidewalks that are accessible to and usable by people with mobility disabilities throughout the City. These violations severely impact the ability of people with mobility disabilities to traverse the city, making it difficult or impossible for them to fully and equally participate in civic life in Baltimore.
Baltimore’s own data shows that there are systemic barriers to the accessibility of the City’s pedestrian right-of-way. In 2019, a multi-phase evaluation of its curb ramps showed that only approximately 1.3% of the 37,806 surveyed curb ramps complied with the ADA. Although the focus of the 2019 survey was on curb ramps, notes from that survey documented widespread problems with sidewalks, including sidewalks that were damaged or too narrow, which can make them unusable by people who use wheelchairs, scooters, and other mobility aids, so that people with mobility disabilities are forced to travel in the street with cars.
The lawsuit asked for a court order requiring the City to bring its sidewalks and curb ramps into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
In November 2024, DRA reached a milestone settlement with the City of Baltimore to increase access to the City’s curb ramps and sidewalks. The settlement, in the form of a partial consent decree, is the first big step in resolving claims brought on behalf of a class of persons with mobility disabilities alleging that the vast majority of curb ramps and sidewalks in Baltimore are not accessible and therefore violate federal disability rights laws. The settlement was approved by the court in March 2025.
Under the partial consent decree, the City has agreed, among other things, to devote a minimum of $44 million, and potentially up to $50 million, over the course of four years to the construction and/or remediation of thousands of curb ramps and the remediation of tens of thousands of square feet of sidewalks throughout Baltimore. The partial consent decree also requires Baltimore to ensure ongoing compliance with the requirements of the ADA and Section 504, to create new programs designed to increase sidewalk accessibility to Baltimore residents and visitors with mobility disabilities, and to improve its 311 system for requests and complaints related to the accessibility of specific intersections and sidewalks. In the third year of the partial consent decree, the Parties will begin negotiating a longer-term plan to make all of the City’s remaining curb ramps and sidewalks accessible to people with mobility disabilities. Read the partial consent decree.
Case Files
Press Releases
Media Coverage
- April 24, 2025: Legal Reader
Accessibility Improvements for Pedestrians with Mobility Disabilities Result from Partial Consent Decree with City of Baltimore - April 16, 2025: CityBiz
State Roundup – Baltimore to Invest $44M in Sidewalks in Settlement - April 15, 2025: Baltimore Business Journal
8 Things to Know – City to Spend $44M on Curbs, Sidewalks in Settlement With Disability Rights Group - April 15, 2025: Planetizen
Baltimore Ordered to Improve Sidewalk Accessibility - April 14, 2025: Baltimore Sun
Baltimore to Spend $44M on ADA-Compliant Sidewalks, Ramps as Part of Settlement - April 11, 2025: NextCity
The Weekly Wrap – The Era of Funding Cuts and Lawsuits - April 9, 2025: Smart Cities Dive
Court Orders Baltimore to Spend $44M on Sidewalk Upgrades for ADA Compliance - April 7, 2025: WJZ-TV Baltimore
Baltimore City Reaches Settlement to Improve Sidewalk, Ramp Accessibility for Disabled Pedestrians - April 4, 2025: Baltimore Fishbowl
ADA Settlement Approved by Court, Will Make Baltimore Sidewalks and Curb Ramps More Accessible - November 27, 2024: WYPR Baltimore
The People Who Fought for ADA Compliance in Baltimore City, and Won - November 19, 2024: Baltimore Sun
Baltimore Settles ADA Lawsuit, Pledging $44M for Improvements to Pedestrian Infrastructure - November 14, 2024: WMAR Baltimore
Baltimore to Spend $44M on ADA Improvements, to Settle Lawsuit - November 14, 2024: WJZ-TV Baltimore
Baltimore City to Invest $44 Million to Make Sidewalks More Accessible, Disability Friendly - November 14, 2024: WBFF Baltimore
Baltimore Commits $44 Million to Enhance Pedestrian Infrastructure - November 14, 2024: WBAL Baltimore
Baltimore Settles ADA Lawsuit, Agrees to Invest $44 Million in Sidewalks and Ramps - November 14, 2024: Baltimore Fishbowl
ADA Settlement Calls for $44 Million Investment in Baltimore Sidewalks and Curbs - November 14, 2024: Baltimore Banner
Baltimore Reaches $44 Million Settlement in Suit Over Pedestrian Accessibility - August 18, 2024: Baltimore Banner
The Neighborhood Just Wanted a Crosswalk. They Found Out Baltimore Doesn’t Make It Easy. - August 12, 2024: Baltimore Banner
Why a Change to Baltimore’s Road Paving Policy Is Costing Millions - September 12, 2023: The Progressive
So Sue Me - July 12, 2023: Next City
Accessibility Lawsuits Are Bringing Slow but Steady Wins for Disabled City Residents - May 9, 2023: Baltimore Banner
Baltimore Isn’t Accessible for People With Disabilities. Fixing It Would Cost Over $650 Million. - November 14, 2022: Streetsblog USA
Why Do People With Disabilities Have to Sue to Get Accessible Sidewalks?