Disabled Rights Group Sues Wells Fargo

posted on Mar 11 by Nadia in the Disability Law, Disability News, Wheelchair Accessibility category

The Disabled Rights Action Committee (DRAC) has filed suit against Wells Fargo on behalf of Robert Mateus. Mateus went to his local Well Fargo branch after hours to make a deposit and was unable to do because he is in a wheelchair due to the night deposit box sitting more than 54 inches above the ground. The night depository at that location and a few others do not comply with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations, as well as other night depositories at many Wells Fargo branches.

When the DRAC contacted Wells Fargo branch manager Billy Espinoda back in Septemeber, his answer was for patrons with disabilities to do their banking during normal business hours with a teller or use the accesible ATMs at its Salt Lake City branches. DRAC’s attorney Stewart Gollan says that is not much of answer to the issue at hand and still ignores the fact that the branch does not comply with ADA standards.

Challenges such as these are not new to people with disabilities. DRAC chair Barbara Toomer uses a wheelchair and is constantly confronted with scenarios such as this one. Toomer says compliance with ADA regulations is a civil rights issue, and by ignoring them businesses are segregating the disabled community.

Wells Fargo responds back by stating the branches in question were built before ADA became law, and therefore they are exempt from “new construction” provisions. Gollan argues back that Wells Fargo has more than enough capital to make these accommodations for people with disabilities as opposed to smaller businesses. DRAC is not seeking any monetary award, but just for Wells Fargo to comply with ADA regulations and making the necessary changes.