New Mexico Mall Agrees to Temporarily Allow Man to Use Segway
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: media@aclu.org
ALBUQUERQUE – The Mesilla Valley Mall in Las Cruces, NM agreed to a preliminary injunction that will allow John R. Funk to operate his Segway in the mall. Funk, who has severe scoliosis and spinal stenosis, uses the Segway as an alternative to a wheelchair.
The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico filed a lawsuit last month against Jones Lang Lasalle, Inc., the corporation that manages Mesilla Valley Mall. The mall had previously banned the use of Segways, a self-balancing, two-wheeled transportation machine, which the ACLU said violated Funk’s right to reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The preliminary injunction will remain in effect until a trial is held. A settlement conference before U.S. Magistrate Judge William P. Lynch is set for Tuesday, May 29, 2007.
Joleen K. Youngers of Almanzar & Youngers, P.A. and George Bach, ACLU of New Mexico Staff Attorney are litigating the case.
A copy of the preliminary injunction is at: http://aclu-nm.org/PDF/StipulatedPI.pdf
A copy of the temporary restraining order that Mesilla Valley Mall agreed to abide by is at: http://aclu-nm.org/PDF/StipulatedTRO.pdf
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