[nfbwatlk] [Wcb-l] NuVision Press release

[Leslie Fitzpatrick]

good for him. I’m glad he didn’t put up with that and took a stand. Les F 
On Oct 25, 2013, at 10:15 AM, Mike Freeman <k7uij at panix.com> wrote:

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Wcb-l [mailto:wcb-l-bounces at wcbinfo.org] On Behalf Of Carl Jarvis
> Sent: Friday, October 25, 2013 8:45 AM
> To: wcb
> Subject: [Wcb-l] NuVision Press release
> 
> 
> True cause for celebration!
> 
> Donna
> 
> Donna Pomerantz, President
> California Council of the Blind
> 
> 
> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
> 
> 
> 
> JURY AWARDS BLIND WAR VET $160,000 FOR DISCRIMINATION BY CREDIT UNION
> 
> Jury finds NuVision Credit Union denied disabled vet loan
> 
> because he did not have a driver's license.
> 
> 
> 
> HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., October 25, 2013- A Federal jury awarded Army Sgt.
> Major Jesse Acosta $160,000 in a legal victory finding that Huntington
> Beach-based NuVision Credit Union violated the Americans with Disabilities
> Act ("ADA") and the Unruh Act by denying Jesse Acosta a loan because he
> could not produce a valid driver's license. In 2006, Sgt. Major Acosta was
> blinded and suffered severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) while
> serving in Iraq.
> 
> The jury found that NuVision discriminated against Sgt. Major Acosta when it
> refused to fund a $20,000 loan that had been approved, but not funded when
> NuVision found out he was blind at the signing of the loan documents.  Sgt.
> Major Acosta received a phone call from the bank informing him, "you didn't
> tell us you were blind, that's a problem."  "I told them it was wrong to
> cancel my approved loan because I was blind, I felt humiliated and very
> angry," stated Sgt. Major Acosta, who advocates on behalf of veterans and
> wants his win to help others fight disability discrimination.
> 
> The jury found that the ADA prohibited NuVision from requiring a blind
> person to produce a driver's license to qualify for a loan, without a
> legitimate business interest. Instead of modifying the discriminatory
> policy, NuVision's required Sgt. Major Acosta to look for a co-borrower with
> a driver's license, and submit a new loan application.
> 
> "The $160,000 damages included exemplary damages because it was intentional
> discrimination," explained civil rights attorney Patricia Barbosa.
> 
> Sgt. Major Acosta, sought legal help following his experience as he battled
> depression, anger and severe episodes of PTSD that caused him great physical
> and mental anguish, as he relived the helplessness he felt in dealing with
> NuVision's denial of his loan.  "It was never about the money," said Sgt.
> Major Acosta, "it was to make sure NuVision never did treated another
> disabled person like they treated me."
> 
> Civil rights attorney Patricia Barbosa, the founder of Barbosa Group, who
> has more than 20 years of experience enforcing civil rights.  "I'm very
> happy that the jury vindicated Mr. Acosta, and will end NuVision's
> discrimination," said attorney Barbosa.  "Their policy-that blind customers
> must have valid driver's licenses-is reminiscent of past bank practices
> requiring women have their husbands co-sign a loans, because women could not
> be trusted with business decisions" she continued.  "The ADA became the law
> of the land 23 years ago.  It is long-past time for NuVision and other
> businesses to recognize that persons with disabilities are entitled to full
> and equal access to all aspects of our society."
> 
> ###
> 
> For more information, or to schedule an interview with Sgt. Major Acosta,
> please call Patricia Barbosa at 949/370-9942 <tel:949%2F370-9942>  or email
> PBarbosa at Barbosagrp.com
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> cid:image005.jpg at 01CE0F85.43B7D070
> 
> 
> 
> 16531 Bolsa Chica, Ste 205
> 
> Huntington Beach, CA 92649
> 
> (714) 465-9486
> 
> (949) 370-9942 direct line
> 
> <mailto:PBarbosa at Barbosagrp.com> PBarbosa at Barbosagrp.com
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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> <image001.jpg><NuVision FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.docx><Untitled attachment 00036.txt>_______________________________________________
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