ATLANTA — Local residents Laurel Lawson and James Curtis are suing the City of Atlanta for failing to maintain sidewalks, especially for people with disabilities.
Lawson said she almost tips over in her wheelchair on some poorly maintained sidewalks.
"All we ask is equal access to these public facilities, to travel the sidewalks like everybody else," Lawson said.
James Radford, the attorney for Lawson and Curtis, said the city has done a horrible job complying with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.
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"There are sidewalks that are so crumbled and broken, that a person in a wheelchair simply cannot safely use it," Radford said.
Atlanta sidewalks have been an issue for years, and Channel 2's Dave Huddleston did a report in 2017 about crumbling sidewalks in Atlanta. He reported Atlanta has an ordinance that requires homeowners to repair the sidewalks in front of their homes. Lawson's attorney said he does not believe that.
“I don’t think that ordinance can exist in a world with the Americans with Disabilities Act,” Radford said.
Channel 2 Action News contacted the mayor's office, which sent us a statement that said, in part:
"The city entered into an agreement with Department of Justice 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 spokesperson said the city is committed to the core value that Atlanta truly belongs to everyone.
Cox Media Group
