Civil Rights Litigation Program
Overview
The Civil Rights Litigation Program litigates high impact discrimination cases that address the civil rights of people with all types of disabilities. This includes class action and individual cases involving cutting-edge legal issues in the area of disability rights. Our cases challenge discriminatory practices by government agencies, businesses, and educational institutions. Examples include: inaccessible newly constructed or altered buildings, refusal to provide sign language interpreters or alternative format materials, inaccessible government programs, discriminatory insurance and health care systems, inaccessible transportation services, and policies that exclude people with disabilities.
Staff
Paula Pearlman , Esq., Executive Director
Shawna L. Parks, Esq., Legal Director
Sri Panchalam, Esq., Loyola Public Interest Fellow
Surisa Rivers, Esq., Staff Attorney
Matthew Strugar , Esq., Staff Attorney
Steve Cuellar, Litigation Assistant
Contact
(888) 999-DRLC / (213) 736-1031 voice / (213) 736-8310 TTY
(213) 736-1428 fax
Email: options@lls.edu
Complaints about discrimination are accepted through the Options Counseling Program. For more information on the case acceptance process contact Options Counseling.
Through its Cases the Civil Rights Litigation Program Has:
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Improved the services that San Bernardino treats and educates youth with disabilities who are in the juvenile halls- Doe 2 et al. v. County of San Bernardino, et al.
Final Notice Probation Settlement
Final Settlement Probation Settlement
Final Settlement Schools Settlement
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Stopped the County of Los Angeles from closing Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Hospital, the only hospital in the area that is willing and able to serve individuals with disabilities- Rodde, et al., v. Bonta.
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Created greater physical accessibility to all 48 courthouses in Los Angeles County Superior Court system - Miles, et al v. County of Los Angeles
Final Summary Notice,
Final Summary Notice
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Created legal precedent in family law that one child's disability cannot be used as a reason to separate him from his brothers or sisters- Heath v. Heath.
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Changed policies and practices of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services and related school districts to ensure that foster children are educated in the least restrictive environment: established right to discovery of the other acts of discrimination to prove pattern and practice of discrimination and intent - Keith H. v. Long Beach Unified School District, et al
Keith H. Long Beach Unified ch. Dist., 228 F.R.D. 652 (C.D. Cal, 2005)
Order Denying Los Angeles County's Motion to Dismiss (2005)
Legal Updates
DRLC Files Objections