“Inadequate & Discriminatory” - Family Files ADA Complaint Over Wheelchair Access at RI High School

“Inadequate & Discriminatory” - Family Files ADA Complaint Over Wheelchair Access at RI High School

The family of a wheelchair-bound man said that it has filed an Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) complaint, after they say that Lincoln Public School District officials refused to accommodate them at a recent football game

Brian Cardarelli said that his “Uncle Jeff” - who is disabled due to a traumatic brain injury - went to watch the Coventry-Lincoln High School Friday night and was accompanied by family members.

Cardarelli said that Lincoln school officials refused to move fans who were in a handicapped area in order to allow them to stay together. 

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“When I showed up, they had Uncle Jeff stationed in the gravel pit by the parking lot in his wheelchair and he could barely see the game,” said Cardarelli. “I was like, what’s going on?”

Cardarelli, whose son Wyatt was playing in the game, said he went to speak with a Lincoln Police officer, who he said “immediately cut me off.”

“He said I’ve had the same conversation three times in five minutes. I said I’m sorry he’s handicapped. The sergeant who was with him got angry right away, I don’t know why,” said Cardarelli. “I said is there anyone I can speak with, an administrator? They looked at each other and rolled their eyes.”

“Eventually came back with a [Lincoln High School] Vice Principal, “ said Cardarelli. “I said this isn’t right.”

Cardarelli said “the entirety of the Coventry fan base” was next to the field where his Uncle and family could have been accommodated - except for the surface. “It was a gravel area. He’s in a wheelchair. “

“The vice principal said,' I can move some students out of the handicap area and find a spot for him.' When she came back said she wants to take just him. I said, well he’s here with the whole family,” said Cardarelli. “As I’m saying that, the Lincoln Police sergeant comes running up behind her and I take a step back and say, whoa. I’m a professional, I’m not getting involved in a screaming match.” 

“I said you know what, I’m just going to file an ADA complaint,” said Cardarelli, when his Uncle Jeff watched the game from the back row. 

“The sad part is Uncle Jeff was just sitting in the parking lot and couldn’t see the 20-yard-line where Wyatt was making catches. And I’m…I’m boiling about it,” said Cardarelli. 

“Uncle Jeff, because of his special needs, he is a special member of our family,” said Cardarelli. “To hear my boys after the game, we didn’t talk about football, we talked about Uncle Jeff.”

 

School and Police Respond - ADA Complaint filed

When reached for comment, Lincoln School District Superintendent said officials were under no obligation to move the students from he handicapped section. 

“District officials offered a seating accommodation; the gentleman refused the accommodation because there was insufficient room to accommodate his entire party of 9 people,” said Superintendent Kevin McNamara. “Unfortunately, his request for accommodation was made after the start of the game, and providing such accommodation for the entire party was difficult.  Several invitations were made by staff to the gentleman. He refused the offered seating accommodation.”

Cardarelli filed complaints with the Rhode Island Interscholastic League and the Lincoln Police Department. 

Lincoln Chief of Police Dennis Fleming said that the matter is being looked into at the department. 

“I [spoke] with my Captains and he advised that there was a complaint filed,” said Fleming. “This will be investigated fully like every complaint that is filed.”

In the ADA complaint, Cardarelli claims that his uncle “was denied reasonable accommodations and equal access to the wheelchair ramp and designated accessible seating area…in direct violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.”

“[The Lincoln School Department] proposed an inadequate and discriminatory solution; separating [him] from his family to seat him along with strangers,” wrote Cardarelli. “This proposal further violated the ADA’s requirement for integrated and equal access…and demonstrates a lack of understanding of the rights of individuals with disabilities.” 

Cardarelli went on to say in the complaint that he is demanding that Lincoln officials undergo “mandatory ADA compliance training for all staff assigned to school events” and that they issue a “formal apology…for the discriminatory treatment [Uncle Jeff] experienced.”