Two class action lawsuits were filed against the MTA Tuesday accusing the transit system of discriminating against disabled riders. The lawsuits were filed by disability rights advocates on behalf of a coalition of other disability rights groups and three individuals.
What’s it like getting around the New York City for people with disabilities? “There is approximately 20 percent accessibility level,” says Michelle Caiola, director of litigation in Disability Rights Advocates’ New York Office. “This is a civil rights issue… in New York City the subway is everything.”
This case challenges the MTA’s failure to install elevators at all New York City’s subway stations. DRA has a second, related case challenging the MTA’s failure to maintain the few elevators that currently exist. In April 2017, DRA filed a class action lawsuit against the New York City Transit Authority (“NYCTA”), Metropolitan Transit Authority (“MTA”), … Continue reading “Center for Independence of the Disabled New York (CIDNY) v. MTA (State case)”
New York, NY—April 25, 2017—Two class action lawsuits were filed today against the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), accusing it of systematically excluding people with disabilities. One suit, filed in New York state court, is the first case to ever challenge the fact that over 350 of New York City’s subway stations are unusable by people … Continue reading “Unprecedented Dual Class Action Suits Filed Today Challenging the New York City Subway System’s Illegal Discrimination Against Wheelchair Users and Others”
Long Beach will be required to spend roughly $200 million over three decades to bring its curbs and sidewalks into compliance with Americans With Disability Act mandates, attorneys announced this week.
In September 2017, Disability Rights Advocates announced a settlement of its federal lawsuit on behalf of the American Council of the Blind (ACB) and members of the blind community against eatsa, a growing, national fast-casual restaurant chain. eatsa utilizes a high-tech service model in which customers order meals via its smartphone app or at an … Continue reading “American Council of the Blind, Michael Godino, et al. v. Keenwawa, Inc., d/b/a Eatsa”
Long Beach, CA—April 10, 2017—A class action settlement agreement to make Long Beach’s sidewalks, crosswalks, and other pedestrian pathways safer and more accessible for people with mobility disabilities was preliminarily approved by Judge Dale Fischer yesterday evening. This civil rights victory was negotiated with the City of Long Beach by Disability Rights Advocates (DRA), Disability … Continue reading “Landmark Settlement Improves Sidewalk Access for Wheelchair Users Throughout the City of Long Beach”
April 5, 2017—SAN FRANCISCO—A pair of advocacy groups and two people with disabilities filed a lawsuit today against BART alleging that it discriminates against people with mobility disabilities, effectively excluding them from the regional mass transit system. For people with disabilities, problems that may be familiar annoyances to most riders can create absolute barriers to … Continue reading “People with disabilities sue BART for discrimination”
April 3, 2017—Lyft and the National Federation of the Blind today announced a collaborative effort to ensure reliable and equal service to individuals who are blind and use service animals. Lyft’s affirmative and proactive efforts will help ensure its convenient and affordable transportation services are available to riders who are blind and use service animals … Continue reading “Lyft and the National Federation of the Blind Announce Comprehensive Accessibility Improvements for Lyft Riders Who Travel with Service Animals”
Eatsa, the Automat throwback that serves healthy quinoa bowls instead of cherry pies, is being sued by disability-rights advocates who argue the trendy cashierless chain’s setup is inaccessible to the blind.