20-year-old David Cerda, a long-time Cubs fan who suffers from muscular dystrophy, is suing team owners to provide better wheelchair access at Wrigley Field, according to ESPN.
Cerda’s Father, who will also serve as his legal representation, filed federal suit on his behalf, claiming that the owners are in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
According to the suit, a $750 million renovation to the stadium recently eliminated a wheelchair-accessible section in the right-side stands by turning it into a bar and pushed back another behind home plate to accommodate a new VIP club.
Cerda’s father told the Chicago Tribune that during their last trip to Wrigley Field, Cerda had to watch the game from several rows back in a standing-room-only section, where his view was partially obstructed.
“I really don't understand how they could do what they did. They tore the right and left bleachers to the ground. When you rebuild it from the ground up, it’s a new building and you have to comply with the ADA,” he said.
The suit alleges that teams are required by the ADA to “provide wheelchair spectators with choices of seating locations and view angles that are substantially equivalent to, or better than, the choices of seating locations and viewing angles available to other spectators.”
Cerda is asking for a judge to order the rebuilding of the bleachers to comply with federal law and the restoration of the lower seating box behind home plate.
