Payan vs. LACCD: Standing up to the District

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Guest speaker Ashley Rodriguez criticized Boyer’s statement and said the disabled community is only asking for changes to be made.

“These people are asking for basic human rights,” Rodriguez said. “They're not asking for taxpayer money. They're asking for accommodations to be made so they can pass classes, and to finish school and move on to higher education. It’s so they can make salaries and be great members of society.”

Among the speakers was lifelong activist Jennifer KeelanChaffins, who participated in the “Capitol Crawl” in 1990 when she was 8 years old.

According to an ABC News article, Keelan-Chaffins got out of her wheelchair and climbed the Capitol steps, which took her nearly an hour.

"As a matter of fact, I said, 'I'll take all night if I have to,'"

Keelan-Chaffins told ABC News.

Keelan-Chaffins said the effect of LACCD taking Payan vs. LACCD to the Supreme Court would decelerate the progress and impact the ADA has in terms of education, housing and employment for people with disabilities.

“I am demanding that the Board of Trustees stop their efforts to undermine the ADA and Section 504 protections,”

Keelan-Chaffins said. “I did the Capitol Crawl to represent my generation and future generations of kids with disabilities. And if you continue on this path, you will be putting a barrier in our way. I am willing to make that climb again. And as I said 32 years ago, I will take all night if I have to.”

On March 3, the Board of Trustees and LACCD said in a press release they have unanimously voted against filing certiorari and will seek additional mediation instead.

Board Vice President David Vela said in the statement the Trustees support and understand the importance of the ADA. He praised the people who took their time to voice their concerns to the District.

“Their strong, heart-felt beliefs resonate with us and it is our desire to bring quick closure to the case,” Vela said.

LACCD Chancellor Francisco