[nfbwatlk] FW: [Wcb-l] NuVision Press release

Kaye Kipp kkipp123 at gmail.com
Fri Oct 25 17:56:32 UTC 2013


It's a bit ironic that they call themselves the New Vision credit union.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com>
To: <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, October 25, 2013 10:15 AM
Subject: [nfbwatlk] FW: [Wcb-l] NuVision Press release


> -----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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