Feds ask to join blind student's lawsuit against Miami University
Student says school failed to help her interact with its systems
The Justice Department wants to join a blind Miami University student's federal lawsuit accusing the school of using technology that presents a barrier to her education.
The government filed a motion Tuesday in federal court in Cincinnati to intervene in Aleeha Dudley's lawsuit.
Dudley, of New Paris, sued Miami in January 2014, saying the school failed to provide equal access and violated federal law.
The Justice Department alleges the university has violated the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability.
"Miami's failures have deprived persons with disabilities of a full and equal opportunity to benefit from Miami University's educational opportunities," according to a Justice Department news release.
The government says Miami failed to ensure individuals with disabilities can interact with its systems equally with students without disabilities.
The university continues to deny it has done anything wrong, Miami's deputy general counsel, Mitchell McCrate, said Wednesday.
"We take very seriously our responsibilities under the ADA and have accommodated our disabled students and will continue to accommodate those students," McCrate said.
Dudley was a junior when she filed the lawsuit and is listed in the class of 2015, but her current status isn't clear. Her attorney, Dan Goldstein, would say Wednesday only that she is not currently enrolled, but may enroll again.
"It's still her dream to go to veterinary school," Goldstein said.
Dudley has said her hopes of being admitted to a graduate program have been jeopardized by lackluster grades she blames on barriers to completing coursework. She says touchscreen systems used at Miami prevented her from ordering food or even doing laundry without help.
She is asking that Miami expunge her grades, pay her tuition and costs to repeat three academic years, pay her legal fees and other damages and provide court-determined relief. She also wants Miami ordered to stop violating disability laws.
The Justice Department's complaint asks the court to require Miami to provide accessible materials to ensure that those with disabilities can equally participate in and benefit from the university's educational opportunities. It also asks for a judgment compensating those harmed by the alleged discrimination.