Leadership / 08.20.18

Serial Plaintiff: Venues' Food Policies Discriminate Against Diabetics

Access Staff

Original article published on the New York Post (08/20/18) by Emily Saul

Bronx resident Jose Reyes is suing three Brooklyn venues — the Barclays Center, Ford Amphitheater and Music Hall of Williamsburg — for allegedly discriminating against diabetics such as himself by barring outside food from their premises in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The plaintiff claims he would need to bring his own food into the venues in order to control his insulin levels, although he notes in the lawsuits that he will not even "attempt" to go to events at those places because of his "metabolic disability." The court filings also note that it would be hazardous for Reyes to consume any of the food sold in the venues, and he needs to pack his own pre-measured snacks. Reyes' suits ask each venue to "stop enforcing its draconian anti-food policy against disabled people who need food to treat their condition." The Barclays Center website states that anyone with special dietary requirements should reach out beforehand to arrange "reasonable accommodations" for their condition. "People are disabled, and their rights are being violated," says Reyes' attorney, CK Lee. "They are simply seeking to enforce their statutory rights."

Read the full story on the New York Post website.

Tags: Accessibility , Theater , Concessions , Regulations , News , Stadium