April 28, 1999
Los Angeles, California — A lawsuit will be filed on Thursday, April 29, 1999 in state court in Los Angeles against the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), alleging that the Department has violated employment discrimination laws by denying a job to an applicant with a disability who meets hiring standards set by the LAPD. The suit, which alleges violations of the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), will be filed on behalf of named plaintiff Matthew Wayne Christensen. Mr. Christensen is represented by Larry A. Minsky, a Long Beach attorney who specializes in employment discrimination, and by the Berkeley-based Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, Inc. (DREDF), a national law and policy center dedicated to protecting and advancing the civil rights of persons with disabilities.
The Sutton Trilogy
February 22, 1999
In the spring of 1999, the U.S. Supreme Court heard a trio of critical cases involving the federal law definition of disability, which the ADA specifies is an "impairment" that "substantially limits" one or more "major life activities." DREDF participated in these cases by writing an amicus curiae brief on behalf of Senators Harkin and Kennedy, former Senator Dole and Congressmen Hoyer and Owens, presenting arguments in favor of a broad interpretation of the ADA.
National Agreement Reached to Improve Accessibility at Stations Owned by Chevron
February 2, 1999
San Francisco, California — Chevron and the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) today announced a comprehensive agreement that will improve access for customers with disabilities at stations owned by Chevron throughout the United States.
Shell Gas Stations Press Release
September 11, 1998
San Francisco, California — United States District Court Judge Charles Legge today granted final approval to one of the most comprehensive agreements to date under the Americans with Disabilities Act. In issuing his Order, Judge Legge referred to the Consent Decree as a remarkable and outstanding achievement. The agreement with Equilon Enterprises LLC, and Shell Oil Products Company, two companies that now own, lease and/or operate over 3,000 Shell gas stations across the country, and plaintiffs in a national class action lawsuit, will substantially improve access for wheelchair users and other people with mobility disabilities across the country.
Ingram v. Serendipity Land Yachts
August 6, 1998
In a class action lawsuit, passengers with mobility disabilities who use wheelchairs and scooters on Amtrak Thruway Bus services in California alleged that the defendants failed to comply with various state and federal laws concerning the safe transportation of bus passengers who use wheelchairs (including scooters) and the proper training of bus drivers to provide respectful and courteous service to passengers with disabilities.
Two Bus Companies Sued for Disability Discrimination
August 6, 1998
Berkeley, California — A class-action lawsuit will be filed on August 6, 1998 in federal court in San Francisco against two companies that provide passenger bus services in California. The bus companies involved are Serendipity Land Yachts of Santa Clara, California, which serves northern California; and Coach USA, a Houston, Texas-based company that operates Antelope Valley Buses serving southern California passengers. The suit will be filed by the Berkeley-based Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF), and the San Francisco law firm of Orrick, Herrington and Sutcliffe LLP, on behalf of named plaintiff Betty L. Ingram and all similarly situated class members, alleging a pattern and practice of disability discrimination against passengers who use wheelchairs.
Greener v. Shell Oil
June 19, 1998
In June 1998, DREDF and co-counsel filed a class action complaint against Shell Oil along with a proposed settlement to address Shell's failure to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act at Shell service stations in cities across the United States. Shell and the three Northern California wheelchair users negotiated the agreement over a two year period without litigation and agreed to filing the complaint for procedural reasons.
Bragdon v. Abbott
February 6, 1998
DREDF filed an amicus curiae brief with the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of Senators Harkin, Jeffords and Kennedy, and Representatives Hoyer, Owens and Waxman in Abbott v. Bragdon. The central issue in this case was whether people who have HIV but appear asymptomatic are considered disabled and therefore protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Good News Ahead For Amtrak Passengers With Mobility Impairments
January 13, 1998
Berkeley, California — By this summer, Amtrak will introduce new discounts, reservations policies and publications that will make it easier and more economical for persons with mobility impairments to explore America by rail.
O’Hara v. Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
October 20, 1999
In 1997, on behalf of a group of individuals with mobility, hearing and vision impairments, DREDF and co-counsel filed a class-action lawsuit against the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California. The complaint alleged that the Coliseum failed to provide equitable access for people with disabilities. The parties settled in 1999.