Jason Lenz, a resident of Louisiana and an individual with disabilities, has filed a lawsuit against the Board of Supervisors of the University of Louisiana System and its President, Richard Gallot Jr., alleging violations of federal disability laws. The complaint was lodged in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana on October 8, 2024. Mr. Lenz accuses the defendants of failing to provide adequate accessibility at Southeastern Louisiana University's Pottle Music Building.
According to the complaint, Jason Lenz is an amputee who relies on a wheelchair for mobility. He claims that during his visit to attend his daughter's dance recital on May 18, 2024, he encountered numerous barriers that hindered his access to the building's facilities. These barriers included inaccessible entrances and restrooms, improperly positioned grab bars, noncompliant handrails on ramps, and inadequate seating arrangements in the auditorium. Despite notifying the university about these issues through a letter dated August 31, 2024, Mr. Lenz alleges that no corrective actions were taken.
Mr. Lenz's lawsuit is grounded in Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. He asserts that these barriers have excluded him from participating fully in public programs and services offered by Southeastern Louisiana University. "The property when viewed in its entirety is not accessible," states Mr. Lenz in his complaint, emphasizing how these physical obstacles prevent him from enjoying equal opportunities as mandated by law.
The plaintiff seeks injunctive relief requiring modifications to ensure compliance with ADA standards and eliminate mobility-related barriers at the university premises. Additionally, he demands compensatory damages for past discrimination suffered due to these accessibility failures. The legal action also calls for declaratory judgments confirming that defendants violated both federal statutes by denying full access based on disability.
Representing Jason Lenz are attorneys Andrew D. Bizer, Garret S. DeReus, and Eva M. Kalikoff from Bizer & DeReus LLC based in New Orleans. The Case ID is: 2:24-cv-02428.