Denver Post
(This article continues in ADAPT 115 but the entire text is included here for easier reading.)

"Talk,” Judge Tells RTD, Atlantis

By Howard Pankratz
Denver Post Legal Affairs Writer

Citing what he fears to be increased “polarization” between some of the Denver’s handicapped citizens and the Regional Transportation District, a Denver judge Thursday abruptly halted a hearing involved the two parties, called them into his chambers and asked that they negotiate a settlement to their dispute.

The unusual action by Denver District Judge Daniel Sparr came in the midst of a hearing on RTD’s request that Sparr ban some handicapped people from engaging in disruptive demonstrations on RTD property and buses.

At all cost, said the judge, he wanted to avoid an “us against them” climate.

“It appears it is a confrontation that is not going to do anybody any good,” he said.

On January 4, 5 and 6, handicapped individuals, some organized by the Atlantis Community for the disabled, demonstrated at various RTD offices protesting a decision by the RTD Board of Directors not to place wheelchair lifts on 89 high-capacity, articulated buses slated to be added to the RTD bus fleet in 1983.

Many of the estimated 16,000 handicapped people in the Denver area feel that the district broke a promise to them when the lifts weren’t provided.

Sparr said he felt that if he had to issue a temporary restraining order against the handicapped at the end of the hearing it could only lead to increased polarization and animosity between the district and the handicapped, something he said needs to be avoided.

The judge noted that if that order, or subsequent orders were violated, it might result in contempt citations, fines and jail terms for handicapped people.

Created on

Wednesday 10 July 2013

Posted on

Tuesday 10 May 2016

Tags

Atlantis, bus purchase, handicapped, Judge Sparr, negotiations, restraining order, RTD, wheelchair lifts

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