ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – A man wants to see change after he claims he was not able to get into rapper Rick Ross’ car show in June because of his disability and the lack of accommodations.
Darris Straughter, who is in a wheelchair, traveled from Miami to Atlanta by himself to attend the event that he never made it into. He has since filed a lawsuit against the rapper for several allegations, including violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.
“It’s more than a ramp. It’s a lot more that comes with it,” Straughter said. “People think by adding a ramp or a bar on the wall it’s accessible.”
Straughter claims he emailed event organizers in advance to make sure there were wheelchair accommodations and was told there would be no issue. But Straughter said when he arrived at the pick-up location to get on a bus to go to the event at Ross’ home known as The Promise Land, no handicap-accessible bus ever came.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Wheelchair user files lawsuit against rapper Rick Ross over Fayette County car show accessibility
“To sit in a parking lot for hours and hours to just get told, ‘We trying, we trying.’ That’s not acceptable after telling me I was good,” Straughter said.
Straughter told Atlanta News First he wants to see changes so this doesn’t happen to anyone else.
“You could be in a wheelchair tomorrow, that’s how life is, crazy,” he said. “Anything could happen so I just want to be the voice. We don’t have a voice.”
The lawsuit also claims there was a breach of contract and negligence.
John Hoover, Straughter’s attorney, said those in charge of the event didn’t follow the law.
“As a wheelchair user, you don’t have to give people advanced notice to be in compliance,” Hoover said. “It’s the law. It’s not optional.”
Atlanta News First made attempts to reach representatives for Ross and will update this story with a response.