Jennie Bourgeois

Posted: Sep 22, 2009 4:41 PM CDT

By Paul Gates – bio | email

BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) – A local community activist is calling Southern University on the carpet. He says Southern has largely ignored a federal civil rights act for nearly 20 years. Now, he says it’s time to hold their feet to the fire.

George Eames is very familiar with the American with Disabilities Act. The long-time civil rights activist is a handicapped man himself. He’s also a former president of the local NAACP. In 2006 Eames filed a complaint against Southern University alleging he was being discriminated against because of his disability. That complaint led to a lawsuit claiming Southern’s campus is not accessible to people with disabilities.

“I started to do some research about ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and I found out there are federal laws that govern these particular violations and stuff.” Eames’ lawsuit claims Southern is ignoring the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. “They have a law center. Teaching law, and they don’t know they are in violation of the law. ”

Susan Meyers with the New Orleans Advocacy Center is Eames’ attorney. She says Southern has failed for far too long to accept the importance and necessity of making the university and its programs handicap accessible. “All we can say is that they have failed in this regard.” Over a long..over a long period of time, correct? “And did, not only over a long period of time but continuing right up through this day.”added Meyers.

George Eames has seen many athletic events in the facilities at Southern University. But he says he’s never been able to make Southern leaders see what he sees in the inacessibility of the disabled. ”This is not about me. I’m just the messenger. I want to help everybody.”

Southern chancellor Kofi Lomotey declined an interview Tuesday saying the university has been advised by legal counsel not to comment. He did release a statement, saying  “Southern University continually improves accessibility and comfort for persons with special needs at all of our athletic and educational venues. We will continue to treat our students, faculty, visitors and all others who have physical challenges with the courtesy and dignity that they deserve.”

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