A doctoral student at the University of Rhode Island, Rachel Young, has filed a federal lawsuit against the university, accusing the institution of failing to meet basic accessibility requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act, thereby violating her civil rights, according to an article published on GoLocalProv.
The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court and was brought by Young, a PhD student studying computer and statistical sciences. Young has lived with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy since birth and states that during her time enrolled at URI in fall 2025, the university did not provide her with access to classrooms in buildings equipped with ADA-compliant restrooms, accessible doors and hallways, an accessible path or accessible parking, according to GoLocalProv.
The lawsuit claims she “purposefully did not eat or drink from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.” while on campus in order to avoid needing to use the bathroom, which led to “extreme exhaustion, fatigue and dehydration.”
Young’s attorney, Ellen Marjorie Saideman, is a disability rights lawyer who previously represented other ADA plaintiffs. The suit argued that access to restrooms and accessible facilities is a fundamental civil right and that the ADA has mandated clear accessibility standards since 1991, according to GoLocalProv.
After hearing of the lawsuit, URI issued a brief statement through the communications office to The Good Five Cent Cigar. It stated that the university was notified of the suit last week as of Dec. 10 and is currently reviewing the claims made.
“Consistent with our institutional values, URI remains committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible, equitable and diverse community,” Dawn Bergantino said, the assistant director of communications. “We take our obligations under the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act seriously, and we have multiple offices dedicated to supporting and addressing the needs of all members of our community.”
The institution’s Office of Equal Opportunity is responsible for ensuring campus-wide adherence to ADA regulations, according to URI’s compliance information. This includes reviewing complaints of discrimination based on disability, coordinating accommodations and evaluating physical accessibility of facilities.
Under relevant federal law, public establishments such as URI are required to make reasonable modifications and ensure that all services, programs and facilities are accessible to qualified individuals with disabilities.
URI has not publicly outlined any specific changes or accommodations in response to the lawsuit beyond the general statement of commitment from the communications office. The university has reportedly retained outside counsel to respond, according to GoLocalProv.
