Jill Babcock says Cadillac Place is not easily accessible for people living with disabilities. (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
DETROIT (WJBK) -
"Being a state government building, it has to be accessible to all," said Jill Babcock.
That includes people like her and Gerald Lyons. Both of them work at the state's Cadillac Place building and they say it is not easily accessible for people living with disabilities.
"The state's not following federal law," said Lyons.
For example, only two of the building's entrances are labeled handicap accessible and one is so steep Babcock can barely make it through the door. Plus, Babcock has not been given handicap parking, something the state says it doesn't have to provide for any employees.
"I get dropped off by the bus because I cannot drive down because there's no handicap parking," Babcock said.
Lyons pays to park in a garage, but his options are limited.
"I'm small in stature, so I can't reach the buttons in the elevator in the parking structure. So I only have one level that's really feasible for me to park at."
When he asked the state to make the buttons more accessible, "They told me I should carry a stick so I can use the stick to reach the buttons."
"I was extremely independent and now I have to be dependent," said Babcock.
That's taking a toll physically and emotionally.
"I'll spend the weekends sleeping as opposed to doing things because I'm so tired out from the work week," she said.
"You don't have accessible ramps, you don't have accessible entrances, you don't have accessible parking, you don't have accessible hallways, you don't have accessible doorways, you don't have accessible courtrooms, you don't have accessible restrooms in this building," said attorney Richard Bernstein.
That's exactly why Bernstein says he is taking this case free of charge. He is filing a lawsuit in federal court demanding the state make Cadillac Place truly compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
"The way that the ADA was designed, it was designed to make sure that people with disabilities and special needs can have an opportunity to live an independent, good quality of life," Bernstein said.
The governor's office won't comment on the lawsuit, but a spokesperson told us their goal is to make sure the building is compliant with federal law. Babcock says right now the building is not.
"I'm tired of having to explain to people the problems, and I kind of wish that they would take it on themselves, common sense."
That federal lawsuit is expected to be filed within the next two weeks and it could take years before we get a decision.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:08 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:08:56 GMT
A small dog was taken from a woman's car on Sunday. Now a woman claims she wasn't trying to steal the dog. She was trying to save its life because it was locked in a car on a hot day.
A small dog was taken from a woman's car on Sunday. Now a woman claims she wasn't trying to steal the dog. She was trying to save its life because it was locked in a car on a hot day.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:04 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:04:18 GMT
13 people were shot in Detroit in just 24 hours, five from one block, including a woman who was just hours away from a kidney transplant. She did not survive.
13 people were shot in Detroit in just 24 hours, five from one block, including a woman who was just hours away from a kidney transplant. She did not survive.
Thursday, May 16 2013 8:23 PM EDT2013-05-17 00:23:43 GMT
54-year-old Almeter Walls was set to have a transplant surgery on Thursday, but instead she is dead. We're told she was shot when a neighborhood argument ended in gunfire. The shooting also left four others wounded.
54-year-old Almeter Walls was set to have a transplant surgery on Thursday, but instead she is dead. We're told she was shot when a neighborhood argument ended in gunfire. The shooting also left four others wounded.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:01 PM EDT2013-05-21 16:01:58 GMT
The American Red Cross is working in a variety of ways and from several different areas of the country to help the victims of the tornadoes which struck in the nation's heartland.
The American Red Cross is working in a variety of ways and from several different areas of the country to help the victims of the tornadoes which struck in the nation's heartland.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:48 AM EDT2013-05-21 15:48:16 GMT
Weather Authority Ben Bailey says the humidity has dropped since earlier this morning but the risk of severe weather still exists Tuesday throughout southeast Michigan.
Weather Authority Ben Bailey says the humidity has dropped since earlier this morning but the risk of severe weather still exists Tuesday throughout southeast Michigan.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:31 AM EDT2013-05-21 15:31:20 GMT
As people struggle to pick up the pieces in the areas of Oklahoma ravaged by tornadoes, we've learned some relief will be coming from right here in Michigan.
As people struggle to pick up the pieces in the areas of Oklahoma ravaged by tornadoes, we've learned some relief will be coming from right here in Michigan.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 9:50 AM EDT2013-05-21 13:50:04 GMT
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing dozens and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing dozens and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:43 AM EDT2013-05-21 11:43:15 GMT
Gustav Nyquist and Drew Miller scored 31 seconds apart midway through a previously scoreless game, helping the Red Wings beat the Blackhawks 3-1 on Monday night for a 2-1 series lead.
Gustav Nyquist and Drew Miller scored 31 seconds apart midway through a previously scoreless game, helping the Red Wings beat the Blackhawks 3-1 on Monday night for a 2-1 series lead.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:35 AM EDT2013-05-21 11:35:00 GMT
Police say a 55-year-old woman is dead and two men are wounded following a shooting at a vacant Detroit residence believed to have been used for drug activity.
Police say a 55-year-old woman is dead and two men are wounded following a shooting at a vacant Detroit residence believed to have been used for drug activity.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:23 AM EDT2013-05-21 11:23:29 GMT
Basehunters, a storm chasing team from Norman, Okla., captured over three minutes worth of video showing Monday's deadly monster tornado that roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs.
Basehunters, a storm chasing team from Norman, Okla., captured over three minutes worth of video showing Monday's deadly monster tornado that roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs.
Jill Babcock says Cadillac Place is not easily accessible for people living with disabilities. (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
