Courts that Violate Rights of the Disabled
Trump appointed Federal District Court Judge Lee P. Rudofsky pretends he is unfamiliar with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the mother of the ADA.
He was informed that I have PTSD, other anxiety disorders, Hashimoto’s Disease, other thyroid disorders and a diagnosed sleep disorder. All these conditions are accepted as disabilities that substantially limit one or more of the major life activities of impaired individuals. Yet, he failed to offer me reasonable accommodations as a pro se litigant for my disabilities.
In fact, when scheduling briefing orders, Judge Rudofsky gave me the same amount of time to file as he gave to the powerhouse attorney represented defendant; and Rudofsky refused to allow me to file electronically. So, he let the well paid attorneys file documents from the comfort of their own home offices, but forced a disabled 60 something year old to drive 60 miles round trip to file. (I could have used the USPS, but that is a good 20 mile round trip and my anxiety issues are triggered by concerns that court clerks will claim they did not receive my documents.
Another pro se litigant who has a disability, a Traumatic Brain Injury, brought some papers to the clerk of the Faulkner County Court recently, and her documents were not filed properly, even though they were hand delivered. (See the post about Mrs. Figueroa, here.)
Heck, a recent poll shows that only 18 percent of the population does not distrust the integrity of the court. Is it a generalized anxiety disorder or a healthy and realistic cynicism that causes so many to anticipate courts will deny due process? Maybe complacency about fraudulent and evil judges is the real mental disease.
Here is a widely circulated list of some of the disabilities that require accommodations.
I am not an attorney, but personally, I am going to insist that the courts comply with my rights. Betty Figueroa does not intend to let Judge Susan Weaver treat the disabled litigant as a second-class citizen, either.
Come give Mrs. Figueroa your support at a hearing on the second floor of the Faulkner County Courthouse, 8:30 am on April 18, 2024. We will meet at the park across the street for a “walk-and-talk” afterwards. Of course, wheelchair bound, deaf, speech impaired and any other disabled will be accommodated and included.
A Higher Law 
Laura,
I am so sorry ypu have to deal with so much inequity.
You do not deserve this.
The Federal Office of Civil Rights will accept your complaint on line..
Atty General..Inspector General..someone needs to get wind of this.
You shouldn’t have to beg for equitable treatment nor reasonable accomodations.
Sincerely, Felicia Ford
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The representative at the ADA division of the DOJ was helpful. She suggested speaking to the Administrative Office of Courts.
When people tell me God only gives me what He knows I can handle, I tell them God must think I am a bad ass. lol. Really, my readers don’t hear much about the good in my life, and the good is great! Thank you for your concern.
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