Complaint Filed October 18, 2018: BARON WALKER, and MILAN HEGGS, individually and on behalf of a class of all others similarly situated, DISABILITY RIGHTS NEW YORK v. THE CITY OF NEW YORK, et. al.
The United States District Court, Eastern District of New York grants plaintiffs MILAN HEGGS and DISABILITY RIGHTS NEW YORK permission to intervene, and expand class allegations City-wide to all precincts and arrest processing facilities in all boroughs of the City of New York.
Albany, NY:
DRNY is joining a class action suit initiated by Beldock Levine & Hoffman LLP and Michael L. Spiegel, Esq, against NYPD / NYC for exposing wheelchair users to harmful and discriminatory treatment at the time of arrest. People have been forcibly removed from wheelchairs and/or left in NYPD facilities, including cells and bathrooms. Unable to have their mobility disabilities accommodated, they are exposed to indignities and physical harm during the arrest processing.
“It is the responsibility of the NYPD to ensure the safety of all detainees in their custody, which includes wheelchair users.” Tim Clune, DRNY Exec. Dir., “NYPD has had 28 years to make all of their facilities accessible to people with disabilities.”
DRNY will be seeking injunctive relief in this litigation to force NYPD to make changes in all boroughs that will prevent wheelchair users from facing such discrimination during future arrest situations.
“We are incredibly appreciative of DRNY's commitment to permanently end the City’s ongoing ADA violations by participating in this comprehensive class action,” said attorney Gillian Cassell-Stiga of Beldock Levine & Hoffman. “For decades, the NYPD has deliberately subjected people with disabilities to shocking and inhumane treatment. This must stop today.”
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DRNY is the designated independent non-profit Protection & Advocacy System empowered by Congress to investigate allegations of abuse and neglect and provide legal and non-legal advocacy services to people with disabilities in New York State. The Protection & Advocacy System was created by Congress as a direct result of the horrific conditions that were uncovered in the 1970's at New York’s Willowbrook State School.
