Fact Check: On June 12, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that courts cannot apply a higher standard to block lawsuits for damages in some disability discrimination claims compared to others.

Fact Check: "On June 12, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that courts cannot apply a higher standard to block lawsuits for damages in some disability discrimination claims compared to others."

What We Know

On June 12, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered a unanimous ruling regarding disability discrimination claims, specifically in the context of education. The case centered around Ava Tharpe, a teenager with severe epilepsy, whose family sued a Minnesota school district for failing to provide appropriate accommodations. The Supreme Court's decision overturned a previous ruling by the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, which had imposed a higher standard of proof for the Tharpe family's claims. Chief Justice John Roberts stated that the challenges faced by students with disabilities should not include a more stringent standard of proof than that applied to other plaintiffs in discrimination cases (NPR, New York Times).

The ruling emphasized that the legal standards for proving discrimination should be consistent across cases, thereby making it easier for students with disabilities to pursue lawsuits against educational institutions (Reuters, AP News).

Analysis

The Supreme Court's ruling is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it clarifies that courts cannot impose a higher burden of proof on disability discrimination claims compared to other types of discrimination claims. This decision is seen as a victory for disability rights advocates, who argue that such a higher standard could deter legitimate claims and undermine protections for disabled students (USA Today, Education Week).

The sources cited provide a consistent narrative regarding the implications of the ruling. NPR and the New York Times both highlight the unanimous nature of the decision and its potential impact on future cases involving disability discrimination. The NPR article notes that the ruling allows families to better advocate for their children's educational rights, which is crucial for those who may lack resources to fight lengthy legal battles (NPR).

However, the ruling does not specify what standard should be applied moving forward, leaving some ambiguity. This could lead to variations in how lower courts interpret the ruling in future cases (NPR, AP News). The potential for differing interpretations underscores the importance of ongoing advocacy and legal clarity in disability rights.

Conclusion

The claim that "On June 12, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that courts cannot apply a higher standard to block lawsuits for damages in some disability discrimination claims compared to others" is True. The ruling explicitly states that all plaintiffs, including those with disabilities, should be held to the same standard of proof in discrimination cases, thereby reinforcing equal access to legal recourse for disabled individuals.

Sources

1. PDF Supreme Court of The United States
2. Unanimous Supreme Court makes it easier to sue schools in disability cases
3. Supreme Court Sides With Teenager in School Disability Discrimination
4. Supreme Court rules for girl with epilepsy in case over access to education
5. US Supreme Court bolsters school disability protections
6. Disability rights groups won big at the Supreme Court. The fight isn't over.
7. Supreme Court Decision Lets Students Sue Schools More Easily for Disability Bias