NEW ORLEANS – An Orleans Parish man alleges a ferryboat is not accessible to those that require wheelchairs.
Stephen Namisnak filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against Board of Commissioners of the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority, New Orleans City and Transdev Services Inc. alleging that they violated Title VII of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on June 9, he used the Algiers/Canal Street Ferry for the first time since it became a pedestrian-only service, but he was disappointed to find that the ferry access is now worse than before. He alleges the current gangway to board the ferry has an excessively steep slope that is difficult for those in wheelchairs to use.
The plaintiff holds Board of Commissioners of the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority, New Orleans City and Transdev Services, Inc. responsible because the defendants allegedly failed to provide accessible ferry service, to provide equivalent service for persons in wheelchairs and failed to provide him with a reasonable accommodation.
The plaintiff seeks judgment against the defendants to alter and modify the ferry and its facilities, services, activities, programs and accommodations; monetary damages; reasonable attorneys' fees; costs and litigation expenses; and such other relief as the court deems just and proper. He is represented by Andrew D. Bizer, Garret S. Dereus and Marc P. Florman of The Bizer Law Firm in New Orleans.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana Case number 2:16-cv-13792