A journey begun in 2006, when a class action suit was first filed by Californians for Disability Rights Inc., the California Council for the Blind, and several individuals, was one step closer to its end in the last week of 2009. Caltrans has settled a suit over claimed violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act for the inaccessible conditions of 2,500 miles of state-controlled sidewalks, cross walks, ramps and 300 park and ride facilities throughout California.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is pleased that the litigation is at an end. “This settlement is a win-win,” he said. “It would be inexcusable to continue to delay these modifications. Instead of debating this through the legal process for the next decade, costing millions of taxpayer dollars, we are taking action to get this work completed.”
This settlement affects hundreds of thousands of Californians with vision impairments or who use wheelchairs, canes or walkers. These numbers will increase as the baby boomers continue to age.
Funds for the repairs necessitated by the settlement will come from State Highway Operation and Protection Program and a pool of state and federal funds. The settlement still requires approval by a federal judge, class participants and the U.S. Dept. of Justice.
Related Resources:
- Caltrans settles lawsuit over disabled access (LA Times)
- The Americans with Disabilities Act- Overview (FindLaw)
- Disability Discrimination: U.S. Supreme Court Cases (FindLaw)
- CA Programs & Services for Children with Disabilities (provided by Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger)
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