[nfbmi-talk] detroit metro announces ada settlement

[joe harcz Comcast]

I don't know anymore than this....
Detroit Metropolitan Airport reaches settlement in Americans With Disabilities Act lawsuit

 

Published: Friday, October 17, 2014

 

By Jackie Harrison-Martin

The News-Herald

 

news/doc54402386728fe349673640

Click to enlarge

 

The Wayne County Airport Authority reached a settlement Friday with the two plaintiffs who filed a lawsuit recently for issues in a change in drop-off protocol.

 

The drop-off location change was from the International Arrivals in the McNamara Terminal to the Grand Transportation Center.

 

The move was based on safety concerns, but the lawsuit, filed by Michael Harris who uses a wheelchair and Karla Hudson of East Lansing who is blind, called

it a violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act.

 

The settlement calls for the buses to stay at the Ground Transportation Center, but the airport authority has agreed to make customer service enhancements

to the area to comply with the ADA.

 

 “We are pleased to work in a spirit of cooperation with representatives of the plaintiffs, as well as Michigan Flyer, to reach a consensus we all accept,”

stated Thomas Naughton, Wayne County Airport Authority CEO, in a press release. “This is a great example of reasonable people working together to create

a safer and more customer-friendly environment.”

 

Modifications to the Ground Transportation Center include providing an indoor information counter for the service providers. The airport authority will

reconfigure the motor coach parking positions, enhance bus shelters and signage to improve passenger flow, and provide an on-site phone with a direct connection

to passenger assistance.

 

“On behalf of Michael Harris and Karla Hudson, two extraordinary individuals and leaders within the disability rights community, I am delighted to report

that the parties have reached an agreement on improvements at the Ground Transportation Center to make it convenient, more accessible, and safer for everyone,”

stated attorney Jason Turkish of Nyman Turkish PC, Lead Counsel for the plaintiffs. “After gaining the support of hundreds of Michiganders, and the attorney

general, this lawsuit will end with everyone a winner, and the airport can now be a beacon of pride for accessibility and inclusion in Southeastern Michigan.”

 

Before a settlement was reached, Attorney General Bill Schuette addressed issues concerning a lawsuit targeting two parties in a letter to Naughton.

 

The attorney general said the change triggered opposition from many within the community with physical disabilities, who argue that the new location is

less safe and imposes an increased burden on them to gain reasonable access to the airport.

 

“Significantly, this change was implemented after the State Transportation Commission officially requested the ‘immediate suspension’ of this revision to

allow public comment before the airport board to address the concerns of those with physical disabilities,” the letter says. “The matter is now a matter

of litigation.”

 

Schuette said he was writing to encourage finding a resolution that will address the safety problems that have been identified and led to the change, and

also to ensure that those with disabilities do not encounter significant barriers to access public services.

 

He said the Americans With Disabilities Act requires that.

 

Business Editor Erica McClain contributed to this article.

 

Contact Staff Writer Jackie Harrison-Martin at 734-246-0837 or

Jackie at heritage.com.

Follow her on Facebook and @JackieMartin22 on Twitter.

 

Source:

http://www.thenewsherald.com/articles/2014/10/17/news/doc54402386728fe349673640.txt?viewmode=fullstory