Disability Rights Task Force meeting
Wednesday, February 04, 2004
- Organization: NYLPI
The first 2004 meeting of the NYLPI Disability Rights Task Force will be held on Thursday, February 12th from 6:30 - 8: 30 pm. If you are interested in attending, please send me an e-mail. (mscherz@nylpi.org)
Marianne Engelman Lado (General Counsel of NYLPI) will discuss Tennessee v. Lane. The U.S. Supreme Court just heard oral argument in this case concerning the constitutionality of the public services provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (Title II of the ADA). The legal issue is whether or not Congress had the authority to require states to pay money damages for violations of Title II.
In Tennessee v. Lane, plaintiffs challenged inaccessibility of courtrooms. George Lane was a defendant in criminal case and was arrested for failure to appear when he refused to either crawl or be carried up the courthouse steps.
The result in Tennessee v. Lane could have a major impact on the rights of people with disabilities. Just two years ago, the Supreme Court found that individuals cannot sue states for money damages under the employment provisions of the ADA. University of Alabama v. Garrett, 531 U.S.356 (2001).
