TACOMA, Wash. — A Woodinville woman – who bought tickets for a show at the Tacoma Dome next month – says the venue is charging her what amounts to a fee for being disabled.
Now, she’s filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Tacoma, which runs events at the Tacoma Dome, claiming her rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act are being violated.
Jill McAuley became a quadriplegic after a car accident when she was 18. She moves around deftly on a motorized wheelchair and is quick with her smart phone.
“To access my phone, I have a pointer - a stylus - on a wrist brace,” McAuley demonstrated, moving her wrist to hover the stylus over the phone before tapping it.
But she says there’s a limit to what technology can assist her with. She needs human help, too.
“I do. I have a set of caregivers,” McAuley said.
McAuley brings a caregiver with her every time she attends a show or event. They help her maneuver through large crowds and handle emergencies.
“They know me. They know how to help me,” McAuley said.
Typically, when McAuley buys a ticket, her caregiver is admitted for free. She says that’s been her experience at Lumen Field, Climate Pledge Arena, and various theaters. So, when she looked into attending an upcoming concert at the Tacoma Dome, she asked about free admission for her caregiver.
“I sent them an email and asked if they honored this or recognized it, and they responded back with a letter saying that they did not. And so that’s when I reached out to Conrad,” McAuley said.
Conrad Reynoldson is the head attorney at Washington Civil and Disability Advocate.
Reynoldson helped McAuley file a federal lawsuit against the city of Tacoma, arguing she has a right to reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. He says requiring her to purchase an additional ticket for her caregiver is the equivalent to charging her a fee for being disabled.
“A disability surcharge, as we call it, that results in people with disabilities having to pay twice as much when they go to events,” Reynoldson said.
McAuley stresses that access to entertainment is crucial to her.
“It’s really important for me, because of my disability, I can’t participate in every social activity or hobby or passion that others might be able to, but attending a concert is something that I really enjoy,” McAuley said. “Having a barrier to be able to do that keeps me isolated and at home and not being able to participate in large community events.”
KIRO 7 reached out to the city of Tacoma, which replied with a statement:
“Tacoma Venues & Events is a city department. The city does not comment on matters involving litigation.”
Reynoldson says the lawsuit seeks to change policies, so venues – like the Tacoma Dome – will no longer require disabled persons to purchase tickets for their caregivers. He says they have not ruled out seeking monetary damages as well.
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