District of Columbia Sued for Failure to Provide for People with Disabilities During Disasters

United Spinal v. District of Columbia (U.S.D.C. for District of Columbia)

A team of Drinker Biddle lawyers from its Washington office as part of the firm's Barbara McDowell Pro Bono High Impact Litigation Project partnered in 2014 with lawyers from Disability Rights Advocates, the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, and Urban Affairs to represent United Spinal Association and the DC Center for Independent Living to sue as class action the District of Columbia for its poor emergency planning for persons with disabilities.  The suit seeking injunctive and declaratory relief alleged the District's failure to publicize any information about accessible emergency shelters, failure to plan for emergency communications to persons who are deaf and blind, failure to put accessible evacuation options in place, and failure to plan for supply chain   disruptions for medication and replacement durable medical equipment. The case settled in 2019 with the District agreeing to comprehensive relief that included a three-year plan that includes creating a Disability Community Advisory Group that will provide disability- specific recommendations for emergency planning, training, and transportation resources that are sufficient to meet the potential demand during emergencies.