(Reuters)
November 9, 2012
NEW YORK, NEW YORK– [Excerpt provided by Inclusion Daily Express]A Manhattan federal judge has certified a class action brought by disability rights advocates who claim the city fails to accommodate the disabled during disasters such as superstorm Sandy.
In an order filed Tuesday, U.S. Judge Jesse Furman found that the plaintiffs, which include the Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled and two disabled New Yorkers, Tania Morales and Gregory Bell, had demonstrated that the litigation should proceed on behalf of the estimated 900,000 disabled people who live in the city.
The lawsuit, filed last year in the wake of Hurricane Irene, alleges the city has violated local and federal anti-discrimination laws by failing to make sure that emergency plans, shelters and transportation fully cater to individuals with physical disabilities.
Lawyers for the class said Sandy, which prompted city officials to order mass evacuations last week and resulted in prolonged power outages that left people stranded at home, put their claims in stark relief.
Entire article:
Judge grants class action to disabled suing NYC
http://tinyurl.com/ide1109123a
Related:
Suit May Go On in Disaster Plan for the Disabled (New York Times)
http://tinyurl.com/ide1109123b
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