From Inside Racing News: An activist for disabled rights has filed a lawsuit against Infineon Raceway, alleging violations of several California and federal laws.
Richard Skaff, a paraplegic who has worked in the San Francisco mayor's office on disabilities and currently runs a non-profit organization that educates businesses on accessible facilities, filed the lawsuit Sept. 8 in U.S. District Court in San Francisco.
Skaff alleges violations of the Americans with Disability Act because of alleged non-compliant seating, parking, infrastructure, ticketing procedures, restrooms and other issues.
"There are a lot of problems," said Skaff's attorney, Jordon Metz, in an interview Sept. 16. "They need to be addressed. If they will work with us, we will help them just get everything corrected, and people who are in wheelchairs will have nothing but a great experience."
The allegations arise from Skaff's experiences attending the NASCAR Cup race in June 2007 at the track as well as the National Hot Rod Association event in July 2008. According to the lawsuit, Skaff met with the track's vice president of facilities in September 2007, but he alleges his issues were not addressed.
"Infineon Raceway is committed to providing our guests with disabilities an enjoyable experience while at our facility," Infineon Raceway President Steve Page said in a statement. "We believe our facility complies with applicable laws, and we will vigorously defend against these meritless claims."
Among the allegations:
• The track did not provide the required number of accessible, semi-accessible and companion seating. The handicapped seating was in the most expensive areas. The tickets were not offered in a variety of locations but are segregated in the front of the stadium seating, where the fences, handrails and persons walking in front of those result in an obstructed view. For those tickets at the top of the tower, the view was blocked once fans began standing.
• Disabled parking is inadequate, with not enough space allotted to the unloading of a disabled person. The track did not provide accessible paths to and from shuttles, which did not run on a frequent schedule. The shuttles for those disabled individuals who did not use wheelchairs were not accessible by the standards required.
• With few exceptions, Skaff alleges he was not able to independently access the displays and participate in activities in the concessions and vendor area. Many concession stands and vendor stands were mounted too high for him to reach.
• The ticket trailer was not accessible, he could not reach the ticket window and there was no disabled parking in the ticketing area. While most people could buy tickets online, Skaff alleges that for disabled seating, an e-mail had to be sent, and then he had to wait for a response before contacting the track about tickets.
• Restrooms have not been upgraded to be in compliance. Skaff is asking for an unspecified amount of damages and for the court to order the race track to come into
compliance.
A court ruling in August said that NASCAR raceways must provide accessible viewing for wheelchair users.
