A quadriplegic man who suffers from cerebral palsy is accusing the board of directors of the Louisiana State Museum of discrimination.
Mitchell Miraglia of Orleans Parish filed suit Oct. 2 in U.S. District Court Eastern District of Louisiana against the museum, claiming violation of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and violation of the Rehabilitation Act.
According to the suit, Miraglia tried to access numerous shops and architectural features while on the museum’s property on Sept. 19, but wasn’t able to because of barriers. Miraglia says he has, “encounted great difficulty due to the lack of ramp or non-accessible ramps at many storefronts.”
Multiple stores on the museum’s property are named in the suit, including Ma Sherie Amour, Little Toy Shop, Photo Works New Orleans, Jackie’s Women’s Apparel, Louisiana Visitor Information Center, Creole Delicacies Famous New Orleans Pralines Store and the Tabasco Country Store.
Because the museum is funded with federal dollars, the suit claims, it is liable for damage for excluding and discriminating against Miraglia.
Miraglia seeks declaratory judgment determining that the museum is in violation of both the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act, and an injunctive relief against the museum requiring them to make alterations to the property allowing patrons with disabilities to use the museum’s services. He also seeks unnamed monetary relief. Miraglia is represented by attorneys Andrew D. Bizer, Garret S. Derus and Amanda K. Klevorn of the Bizer Law Firm in New Orleans.
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Louisiana case number 2:15-cv-04947-JCZ-MBN.