PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The City of Philadelphia and disability rights groups have settled a class action suit demanding better access to city sidewalks.
The two sides announced Friday that the city has agreed to install or repair at least 10,000 curb cuts over the next 15 years, so that people with mobility or vision disabilities can navigate safely.
It must meet a minimum of 2,000 curb cuts every three years, and it also must maintain current ramps and install newly-requested ones.
The city also agreed to pay more than $1 million in attorney’s fees.
Plaintiff Tony Brooks said he is happy with the settlement. He called it a victory for disability rights.
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City solicitor Diana Cortes said she is grateful the settlement will improve the city’s pedestrian infrastructure.
A federal judge must still approve the agreement.
Disability rights groups sued the city in 2019, saying that its dilapidated sidewalks violated the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.