PITTSBURGH - A Slippery Rock University professor says the school was wrong to keep her from teaching remotely, as in-person learning could lead to a serious case of COVID.
A lawsuit was filed Feb. 1 against Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, Holly McCoy, and Keith Dils by Dr. Deborah Wells in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Wells alleges that she faced age and disability discrimination, retaliation, and violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act at Slippery Rock University where she works as a Professor of Early Childhood Education. She suffers from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a condition that makes her more susceptible to severe COVID-19 symptoms due to her immunosuppressant medication.
She claims that despite her initial requests for accommodation being approved in 2014, which included accessible parking and an ergonomic workstation, she still had to minimize contact with others while teaching due to the extreme risk posed by COVID-19.
Since the pandemic, she and Slippery Rock administration have disagreed on whether she should be allowed to teach remotely.
"Dr. Wells has been treated less favorably than her younger and/or non-disabled colleagues," the suit says.
James B. Lieber of Lieber Hammer Huber & Paul represents Wells.