PITTSBURGH - A handful of Pennsylvania residents who find it difficult to walk were able to reach an agreement with a borough that once allegedly refused to provide accommodating parking spaces, according to court documents in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
Plaintiffs Catherine McLaughlin, Robert Jacob, Chelsea Steals, Janice Boyer and Louise Yount filed a complaint against Borough of Conway with allegations that it refuses to provide necessities for the disabled including reserved, accessible parking spots close to their homes as well as the removal of reserved, accessible parking spots it had already permitted for the plaintiffs.
The plaintiffs requested appropriate declaratory and injunctive relief as they accuse the borough of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Both parties were able to reach a settlement agreement. The defendants agreed to “designate and maintain accessible parking spaces reserved for the exclusive use of people with disabilities.” The defendants agreed to designate the space with a non-movable sign in the ground that showed the international sign for persons with disabilities. The defendant added it would paint boundaries on the curb.
The defendant also vowed it wouldn’t charge an extra fee for the plaintiff to install the parking space and agreed the space will be removed if the person with the disability moves.
The defendant agreed that it would take a look at any future requests and stated it would not charge an application fee for a parking space. Applicants will also have the opportunity to challenge any denial according to the settlement.
The defendant stated it would pay the plaintiffs’ counsel, Disability Rights Pennsylvania, $22,500 in three installments of the same amount.