Michigan Appeals Court Mandates Public Reading of Comments for Disabled Individual
In a significant ruling for disability rights, the Michigan Court of Appeals has decided that the Inkster City Council is required to read aloud the written comments submitted by a paralyzed resident who cannot attend meetings in person.
Charles Blackwell, known for his vocal criticism of city officials, initiated the lawsuit. Previously, he reached a settlement with Inkster in 2022 over the city blocking his comments on its Facebook page (source).
Due to his paralysis, Blackwell is unable to physically attend every council meeting. To participate, he emailed his comments ahead of time, which were read at two meetings in June 2024 before the practice was halted. While council meetings are available via livestream, they lacked an option for public comments to be heard online.
A decision by a Wayne County Circuit judge found Inkster in violation of the Michigan Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act for failing to read Blackwell’s comments aloud. This decision was upheld in a unanimous opinion by the Michigan Court of Appeals (source).
The ruling emphasized that the council had previously accommodated Blackwell’s needs without issue. Judge Christopher Yates noted, “In fact, it seemed just as reasonable in July 2024 as it was in June 2024 to read aloud the public comments submitted in advance by plaintiff.” He further explained that the trial court’s injunction simply required the council to continue a practice it had already performed effortlessly.
Blackwell views this decision as a landmark victory for disabled individuals unable to attend local government meetings. He expressed that merely including comments in official minutes isn’t sufficient, as few people consult them. The goal is to reach an audience of citizens interested enough to attend meetings.
“They aren’t strictly trying to advocate their views or plead their case strictly to the city council members, they are oftentimes trying to inform the members of the general public at the meetings as well,” Blackwell told Michigan Public Radio. “Being able to have your comments heard allows for members of the public in attendance at those meetings to also hear what you have to say.”
Inkster retains the option to appeal the ruling to the Michigan Supreme Court. City representatives have not responded to requests for comment.
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