LI Sandy Victim Claims Motel Discriminated Against Her Due To Disability

ISLAND PARK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - A disabled Long Island woman left homeless by superstorm Sandy said she was turned away from a motel because she is handicapped.

As WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reported, a sign on the front of the Plantation Motel in Island Park reads "Sorry, no handicap facilities."

Deborah Robinson said she was turned away when she tried to stay at the motel because she walks with a cane following a stroke.

"A place of public accommodation is required to have facilities for people with disabilities," attorney Ken Mollins said. "They're so brazen that they have a sign in their window saying we don't house or we don't have facilities to house handicapped."

Robinson has been homeless since Sandy hit more than a year and a half ago. Nassau County's Department of Social Services gave her the voucher to stay at the motel for 12 days.

She is now sleeping on a friend's couch instead. Mollins said the motel is violating state and federal laws.

"They're not only civilly responsible, there's the imposition of up to a year in jail," he told Hall. "My client wants the discrimination to stop."

Mollins has called on the Nassau County District Attorney's office and the county comptroller to investigate.

The manager of the motel refused to comment on the matter.

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