Oakland's Disabled

Activists for the disabled filed a lawsuit this week against the city of Oakland, California, claiming that the city violated federal and state civil rights laws designed to provide people with disabilities equal access to emergency shelter services. Apparently, Oakland's disaster plan failed to include disabled people in its planning.

The 2000 United States Census estimated that 23% of Oakland's population is disabled. As such, over 84,000 Oakland residents may not receive the emergency shelter services they need during an emergency.

Wow! Almost a fourth of the population will need special help.