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Crains Detroit
By Bill Shea
April 14, 2008
Five disabled metro Detroit residents are suing Northwest Airlines Corp. and the Wayne County Airport Authority seeking enforcement of a 2006 out-of-court settlement they say protects the rights of disabled passengers.
The five, represented pro bono by Richard Bernstein of Farmington Hills-based Bernstein Law Firm, say the airline and airport discriminate against disabled passengers by not giving them what they said it legally required equal access to air travel and facilities.
The plaintiffs accuse Northwest and the airport of failing to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Air Carrier Act and the Rehabilitation Act. The suit seeks compliance, not money.
Among the plaintiffs earlier complaints were being forced to “wait in lines that said individuals cannot physically tolerate,” wheelchairs being lost or damaged, and disabled passengers being dropped to the floor.
The lawsuit was filed Monday in U.S. district court in Detroit.
“Providing service to our customers with special needs is something the airport authority takes very seriously. However, since Mr. Bernstein has filed a legal action in this matter, it would not be prudent for us to comment,” said Michael Conway, director of public affairs for the airport.
The airline declined to comment on the suit.
Northwest is Detroit Metropolitan Airport’s single largest user, with 500 daily flights. The authority governs the airport’s operations and budget.
Bernstein, a disability rights advocate, successfully led a lawsuit that prompted changes to the ongoing renovation to the University of Michigan’s football stadium, calling for hundreds of additional seats for disabled fans.
Federal Lawsuit Filed by Disabled Fliers Ends in Historic Settlement
Richard Bernstein Challenges ABA for Discrimination Against Blind Law Students
Michigan Sports Hall of Fame Honors Richard Bernstein with Courage Award
Attorney Richard Bernstein Named Leader in the Law by Michigan Lawyers Weekly
Victory! Disabled Win Access to U-M Stadium