Accessible sidewalks are an essential component to ensure that people with disabilities are integrated into the country’s economic and social life. Without properly configured sidewalks, public travel for individuals who use wheelchairs is, at best, inconvenient, and, at worst, life-threatening. The lack of properly configured sidewalks inhibits the ability of individuals who use wheelchairs to travel safely and effectively within their communities, and to and from their homes, schools and jobs. In short, the absence of accessible sidewalks stands as a potential barrier between people who use wheelchairs and every aspect of their daily lives.
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Ms. Kathleen Barajas is a person with disabilities. She uses a wheelchair for mobility. On numerous occasions, she came face to face with the frustration and risks that flow from poorly designed and poorly maintained public sidewalks near the City of Los Angeles. One particular problem vexed her. The public sidewalk between her bus stop and the neighboring shopping center in the City of Pico Rivera, located in Los Angeles County, had a voltage tower and stoplight that were planted in the middle of the sidewalk, obstructing the path of travel and resulting in less than the 36 inches of width demanded by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
As the result of these impediments, the plaintiff was forced to backtrack and go through the parking lot of a nearby CVS Pharmacy. She had to travel behind parked cars and the vehicular drive paths of that CVS to get between bus stops. Her other option was to risk her life traveling in the very busy street, adjacent to fast moving cars.
The plaintiff complained about this situation to the Center for Disability Access. The Center was happy to take the case. The Center has successfully prosecuted hundreds of lawsuits against Cities and Counties for violating the ADA and discriminating against persons with disabilities. The Center first served a Government Claim on the City of Pico Rivera. But the City did nothing. The Center then filed a lawsuit on behalf of Ms. Barajas.
Within four months of filing the lawsuit, the City paid Ms. Barajas for the inconvenience and frustration it had caused her by failing to comply with the law and, also, agreed to remove the barriers and provide a fully compliant public sidewalk by a certain date.
If you are a person with a disability and have encountered inaccessible public sidewalks, don’t hesitate to contact the Center for Disability Access. We represent our clients for free and we have developed a sophistication and expertise in these cases. We would love to talk to you about your case.
here in city SAN PEDRO SOME PLACE NO HAVE SIDEWALK , I NEED THEY FIX PLEASE IS HARD TO WALK IN THE MIDDLE THE ST
If the city provides a program, they have to provide an accessible program. If they don’t provide the program, then they don’t have a requirement to provide access. This is true for sidewalks; if they provide a sidewalk, they have to provide accessible sidewalks. Likewise, if they do not provide sidewalks, they don’t have to provide accessible sidewalks. A common problem is where there are no sidewalks and pedestrians have to walk on the dirt on the side of the road. This is a hole in the law. The ADA typically does not require the city to install a sidewalk where none existed.
I have a problem with the Sidewalk on Robertson Boulevard between Olympic and Pico Blvd on the right hand side, heading towards Pico Boulevard by the Best Western hotel.
U na ay banqueta no tienen rampa y tiene que vagar ala calle y porque silla de rudas y me pasa y la polísia me dise que suba ala banqueta
Need to see features as to hooking up something to store at rear. I have no hitch on car and is heavy for my back osteo perosis so do you have a device to left or ramps or should I junk car or is it to bulky putting a lifting device like a Crain of some type. So I hope you can help me, give me suggestions. Also for safety at night are there special lighting equipment ,also keyless need to lock it up. I’
Harbor freight do you any to help me with a new scooter(wheelchair). Me vehical has no hitch the car is gmc. Scooter fits in back when I disassemble scooter , are there any ramps or small Crain to left into back. Please let me know what i can do or who van I take it to.