Mother Sues Jacksonville Housing Authority Over Lack of Wheelchair Ramp

A Jacksonville mother is suing the Jacksonville Housing Authority (JHA), alleging the agency failed to provide a wheelchair ramp for her two daughters, both diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy, despite repeated requests over several months.

The federal lawsuit was filed on July 11 by Makeeda Ismael, who moved with her four children into the Southwind Villas apartment complex on Newton Street in October 2024. The property is owned and operated by the housing authority. According to the complaint, two of Ismael’s daughters—one of whom is a minor—are non-verbal, rely on wheelchairs for mobility, and require full assistance with daily tasks such as bathing and dressing.

Shortly after moving in, Ismael said she asked the property manager and assistant manager to install a ramp at the entrance to her unit, which has two steps inaccessible by wheelchair. According to the lawsuit, she was told a ramp would be installed. However, days passed with no progress, prompting Ismael to follow up by email—but she said she received no response.

The lawsuit states that Ismael made multiple follow-up efforts and eventually reached a manager at JHA. Communication with him reportedly ceased soon after. When they last spoke, he allegedly told her the ramp construction was being put “out to bid” for installation in March or April. No updates followed, and by April, with no ramp in place, Ismael filed a formal complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, citing failure to provide a reasonable modification under disability housing requirements.

On May 23, Ismael submitted another formal request, and after additional follow-ups, she received a response on June 25 from JHA’s legal counsel. According to the lawsuit, the response reiterated that the project was still being placed out to bid and promised an estimated completion date. However, as of July 11, no ramp had been installed, and Ismael had not received a timeline for construction.

The complaint outlines the physical burden and emotional toll on the family. Ismael states she must drag her daughters’ wheelchairs up and down the stairs each time they leave or enter the apartment. One daughter’s wheelchair was reportedly damaged during this process, forcing her to miss school while it was being repaired.

The lawsuit also raises concerns about emergency evacuation, noting Ismael’s fear for her daughters' safety should a crisis arise that requires immediate exit. Her attorney wrote that the mother feels "depressed, isolated, and alone" in coping with what she believes is a blatant disregard by JHA for her family’s well-being.

The lawsuit seeks immediate installation of a wheelchair ramp, as well as compensatory damages for harm caused by the alleged failure to accommodate the daughters’ needs.