FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BOSTON – The City of Boston has agreed to provide a long-time employee who is quadriplegic with a reserved parking space as an accommodation to his disability.

"I love my job, and it has been a constant strain having to choose between working and getting a ticket; or not working," said Mr. Braman. "I am greatly relieved that the city has agreed to accommodate me in this way. I feel as though I have been heard."

Lawrence Braman, manager of mapping services in the city’s Neighborhood Development Department, became quadriplegic many years ago. He moves about by wheelchair. When his department relocated to Court Street from a previous location where parking was more available, Mr. Braman began asking managers to arrange parking nearby to permit him to continue his employment. The city, which maintains some thirty-six spaces on Court Street for city vehicles, initially indicated that no spaces were available. The city’s disability rights coordinator also was unable to provide assistance.

Mr. Braman, frustrated after more than two years of trying to persuade city managers, filed a complaint of disability discrimination with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, and contacted Attorney Samuel Berk, who contacted Attorney Paul Merry. Thereafter, Mr. Braman’s complaint was filed with the Massachusetts Superior Court (Judge Judith Fabricant).

Once the matter was before the court, Mr. Braman’s attorneys asked for an immediate order requiring the city to provide the necessary parking. The court then set the matter for an early trial. Following the pre-trial investigation conducted by Mr. Merry and city attorney Kimberly Hudson-Wright, the city reconsidered its position.

"I am grateful to the city for its receptivity in this matter, and especially to Attorney Hudson-Wright for her professionalism in approaching this matter," said Merry. "It has shown that the city wants to be out front in responding to the needs of employees with disabilities."

While both state and federal law require that employers provide accommodation for disabled workers, it has not been clear that parking for vehicles used in commuting was such an accommodation.

The city also agreed to cover Mr. Braman’s attorney fees as part of the resolution.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: PAUL H. MERRY, 617-720-2400

January 21, 2003