OSU adding seats to settle disabilities lawsuit

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OSU adding seats to settle disabilities lawsuit

http://newsok.com/article/3100016/

By Randy Ellis

Staff Writer

Oklahoma State University has agreed to build new wheelchair

accessible seating at Boone Pickens Stadium to settle an Americans

with Disabilities Act lawsuit, OSU attorney Fern

confirmed Monday.

Under the agreement, new accessible platforms will be built to

accommodate 175 wheelchair-assisted individuals and their companions.

The stadium had some wheelchair accessible seats available before

the 2005 lawsuit, but the additional seats will make the number of

wheelchair accessible seats in the stadium more consistent with the

percentage of disabled people in the general population, Fern said.

The lawsuit was filed by OSU graduate Lawson of Stillwater and

Access Now, Inc., a Florida nonprofit that helps disabled persons in

their efforts to get owners of public places to comply with the

Americans with Disabilities Act.

The settlement

•The settlement requires OSU to make sure disabled people have the

same choice of ticket prices that is available to the general public.

•OSU agreed to pay $43,000 for attorney fees and costs. It also

agreed to seek Lawson's advice on all future construction projects

involving OSU athletic facilities.

The new seating

•Eight platforms will be built in the north grandstands and 10 in

the south grandstands, which will provide a total of 54 wheelchair

seats and an equal number of companion seats.

•Additional seating for 121 wheelchair assisted individuals and

their companions will be provided by construction now in progress in

the west end zone.

•Seating modifications at Boone Pickens Stadium must be completed by

Sept. 1, 2008, or the first game of the 2008 season, whichever is

later.

What it means for ticket sales

•OSU must keep the accessible seating locations open for disabled

people up until 24 hours before an event, at which time any unsold

seats can be sold to the general public.

•OSU agreed to let any ticket holder who becomes disabled after

buying a ticket swap for a disabled seating ticket in a similar

location, if such a ticket is available.