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PENNSYLVANIA RECORD

Saturday, November 2, 2024

Family says Human Services Secretary wrongly refused to cover accommodations for girl's disability

Wheelchair 07

SCRANTON — A minor, through her parents, is suing state Secretary of Human Services Theodore Dallas, alleging discrimination for refusing to furnish their home with eligible accommodations for the girl's disability.

N.Z.S., by her parents and next friends N.I.S. and L.R., filed a complaint on May 30 in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania against Dallas alleging that he failed to provide proper accommodations to N.Z.S. under their coverage by the state Department of Human Services.

According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that N.Z.S. was damaged from being denied proper accommodation for her muscular dystrophy. The plaintiffs hold Dallas responsible because the defendant allegedly failed to respond to a request by the minor plaintiff's physicians for an inclined platform wheelchair lift and a stair glide at the plaintiffs' residence. The plaintiff's argue that N.Z.S. is eligible to have such accommodations covered.

The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek installation of the medically necessary equipment, as well as court costs. They are represented by Rachel Mann and Dynah Haubert of Disability Rights Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania case number 1:17-cv-00948-YK

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