Reynoldson v. City of Seattle
Settled 2017. Seattle committed to curb ramp installation on a schedule. Report violations.
What this case is about
This is a settled class-action lawsuit against the City of Seattle filed by Reynoldson, et al. in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. The lawsuit challenged Seattle's failure to install ADA-compliant curb ramps at intersections throughout the city. Wheelchair users and people with other mobility disabilities were systemically denied use of the public pedestrian network. The case settled in 2017 with a citywide remediation commitment: Seattle agreed to install thousands of curb ramps on a multi-year schedule with priority routing and reporting obligations. The case is in compliance phase. Reports of missing or non-compliant ramps can be filed with the city via Find It Fix It, with plaintiffs' counsel, or via DOJ complaint.
Who may qualify
Protects people with mobility disabilities encountering inaccessible curb ramps in Seattle city limits. Excluded: King County unincorporated, neighboring cities, private property.
What helps your case
Location, photographic evidence, date, impact narrative, prior Find It Fix It reports establishing notice.
How to document what happened
Photographic documentation, precise location, impact narrative. File via Find It Fix It; track repeats.
What if you don’t have documentation?
Reports may proceed without records. Channels: Find It Fix It, plaintiffs' counsel, DOJ § 35.170, WSHRC.
What this case doesn’t cover
Outside scope: King County unincorporated, neighboring municipalities, Sound Transit, KC Metro, private property, City facilities beyond pedestrian rights-of-way.
Legal theory
ADA Title II
Named defendants
- City of Seattle
Case facts
- Type
- Class action
- Affected states
- WA
- Court
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
Who to contact
Check who each contact can help before you call — most of them cover one place or one group of people.
Lawyers on this case
Civil Rights Education and Enforcement Center
Phone 1-888-461-9191
For people with mobility disabilities who live in or visit the City of Seattle. Use it to report a missing or broken curb ramp. If you are outside Seattle this line cannot help with your barrier.
Lawyers on this case
Disability Rights Washington
Washington's protection and advocacy agency, co-counsel, and still monitoring Seattle's progress.
Key dates
- Status
- Compliance phase, multi-year remediation
- Settlement
- 2017