City of Atlanta sued over condition of sidewalks

Two law firms are filing a class action lawsuit against the city of Atlanta over the condition of its sidewalks.
The law firms, Radford & Keebaugh, LLC and Parks, Chesin & Walbert, P.C., said they are filing the class action lawsuit on behalf of disabled residents under the Americans With Disabilities Act.
“The plaintiffs are wheelchair users who allege that they have been denied equal access to the benefits and services of living and working in the City of Atlanta, due to the dilapidated condition of sidewalks and crosswalks in many parts of the city,” the attorneys said in a press release. “The lawsuit cites to a 2010 City of Atlanta audit, which found that 18 percent of the city’s sidewalk infrastructure was ‘deteriorated’ at that time. According to the lawsuit, the same audit found that, within the city, there were 7,099 intersections that lacked curb ramps to allow for wheelchair access. The audit found 8,705 intersections with curb ramps that did not meet the requirements of the ADA.”
A city spokesperson says Atlanta is aware of the lawsuit and said the city is “committed to making its facilities, including streets and sidewalks, fully accessible and available for use by all its citizens and visitors.”
“In 2009, the United States Department of Justice conducted a review of the city’s compliance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as it relates to its facilities and programs,” the spokesperson said. “The city entered into an agreement with DOJ that was designed to address certain deficiencies, including sidewalk repairs. The city is not in violation of the agreement, as it is ongoing. The city continues to address the identified needs and to cooperate with the DOJ by reporting its progress on an annual basis. This activity remains a priority for the city, as it will continue to make these improvements in the most fiscally responsible and prudent manner possible.
“The city remains committed to the core value that Atlanta truly belongs to everyone and no obstacles should stand in anyone’s way in contributing to and participating fully in our community.”