[NFBSF] Jury Trial

[tim at timeldermusic.com]

Please spread the word.  Lisamaria Martinez, a blind community leader from
the San Francisco Bay Area, is taking her civil rights case before a jury
starting on the afternoon of March 26, 2024, in the San Francisco federal
court.  A jury will decide if the County of Alameda has violated the ADA by
refusing to provide a scribe for blind people who need to fill out paper
forms.  Individuals interested in supporting Plaintiff Lisamaria Martinez,
Attorney Tim Elder, or otherwise interested in watching any portion of this
rare instance of an ADA jury trial may find the following details helpful.  

 

When:

Starting on March 26, 2024, immediately after the lunch break and jury
selection.  The trial will continue for a few days thereafter starting at
9:30 a.m. and adjourning at 3:30 p.m. each day.

 

Where:

Phillip Burton Federal Building

15th Floor, Courtroom 15-D (Judge Hixson presiding (

450 Golden Gate Ave., 

San Francisco, CA 94102, 

 

Why:

A rare ADA case against the County of Alameda regarding the provision of a
scribe as a requested auxiliary aid or service necessary for filling out
paper forms in a government office.  It may have wide implications for
whether government offices and other service providers fill out paper forms
for blind people in the future.  

 

How:

The court is within walking distance of the U.N. Plaza Civic Center BART
station.  It is walking distance from the San Francisco LightHouse for the
Blind and Visually Impaired.  Individuals will need to pass through a metal
detector and security screening with government ID similar to going through
TSA checks at an airport.  A cafeteria is available in the federal building.
Security at the building entrance can give directions and information to
Judge Hixson's court and the case: Martinez v. County of Alameda,
3:20-cv-06570-TSH. The court room is open to the public.  Business attire is
recommended.