Military Families Win Justice

Parents Against Disability Discrimination Hope Their Lawsuit Will Serve As National Model

This September, a landmark settlement was reached in Parents Against Disability Discrimination v. Equity Residential, the first lawsuit in the nation to allege systematic disability discrimination since the military began privatizing its on-base housing in 1998.

Thanks to the lawsuit, brought by veteran Tammarra Johnson and 6 other families at Fort Lewis, Equity will now make 10% of existing homes at Fort Lewis accessible and make future buildings ADA-compliant. The residents also won truly accessible sidewalks, parks, playgrounds, and other community facilities, and established a process for the 3,000 families stationed at Fort Lewis to request accessibility accommodations.

Before the lawsuit, soldiers say there was widespread discrimination and retaliation against them simply because they have a disabled family member. Trial Lawyers for Public Justice and Disability Rights Advocates were lead counsel in the suit.

On the Hill

Today, there are 136,917 U.S. military housing units and all of them, private and public, should be places where veterans with disabilities can live without limits. Through the civil justice system, our nation's veterans are empowered to protect their rights and live without discrimination. Protecting the rights of veterans and their families should be a top priority for Congress and all Americans.

By the Numbers

• 2.1 million: Number of disabled American veterans. – Disabled American Veterans
• 49%: Percentage of U.S. military housing units that are substandard and in need of extensive repair. – U.S. Dept of Defense

Used with permission from The Association of the American Trial Lawyers of America.  All rights reserved.