Lawsuit Claims NYC Subway System Discriminates Against Deaf Population

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The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which operates the NYC Subway system, is on the receiving end of a proposed class action lawsuit that claims it discriminates against the city's deaf population by failing to provide an alternative to audio announcements on subway trains. The plaintiff says she frequently rides the subway and is unable to access information about unplanned service changes announced over the loudspeaker. For example, the complaint describes a situation during which the plaintiff was on a train and could not hear an announcement informing riders that the train would be “running express” instead of stopping at all the local stations. As a result, she was allegedly unable to adjust her route and missed her stop, which, according to the suit, cost her time, energy, and money. 

The case argues that the defendant is obligated by the Americans with Disabilities Act to provide disabled individuals with equal access to the subway – an area of public accommodation – and the services it offers.