PHILADELPHIA — Persons with disabilities have filed a class action lawsuit against Villanova University, citing alleged disability discrimination and failure to uphold Americans with Disabilities Act regulations.
Owen Harty filed a complaint individually and on behalf of all other individuals similarly situated on Oct. 16 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against Villanova University, alleging the college failed to provide full and safe equal access to its facilities.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that Owen Harty suffered difficulty, frustration, humiliation and discrimination, and was deprived the same goods, services, features, facilities, benefits, advantages and accommodations available to the general public as a result of defendant's non-compliant website and/or online reservations system for its lodging, known as The Inn at Villanova University.
The plaintiffs hold Villanova University responsible because the defendant allegedly deprived plaintiff of the equality of opportunity offered to the general public, and denied plaintiff access to and full and equal enjoyment of the commercial facility.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek judgment against defendant for declaratory and injunctive relief, award of attorney's fees, costs and litigation expenses, and other relief as the court deems just. They are represented by John Ward of Thomas Bacon PA in Wayne and Thomas Bacon of Thomas B. Bacon PA in Mt. Dora, Florida.
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Case No. is 18-cv-04451.