A Bronx judge has held that offering side-door access to a disabled co-op resident who cannot navigate the front door does not constitute a reasonable accommodation under the human rights law, but she drastically cut the damages ordered by the New York City Commission on Human Rights.
Supreme Court Justice Mary Ann Brigantti-Hughes (See Profile) agreed with the commission that the owner and management of Co-op City violated the New York City Administrative Code and discriminated against resident John Rose, who has cerebral palsy and uses a scooter to get around. But the judge found a $51,000 compensatory damages award and $50,000 fine excessive, cutting the award for mental anguish down to $15,000 and the fine to $5,000.
