Filed Date: April 8, 2025
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
In this lawsuit, two disabled UCLA students sued the Regents of the University of California, the University’s President, its Chancellor, and ten unknown individuals, alleging widespread accessibility barriers and discriminatory practices.
On April 8, 2025, represented by Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund and private counsel, the two students filed a complaint in the United States District Court Central District of California for alleged violations of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Federal Fair Housing Amendments Act, and California Government Codes § 11135 and § 12955 (Fair Housing and Employment Act). Plaintiffs sought injunctive relief, declaratory relief, and damages for UCLA’s failure to provide reasonable accommodations and comply with accessibility standards. The complaint alleges that UCLA failed to make its facilities, including dormitories, classrooms, and paths of travel, wheelchair accessible, and that it failed to provide disability-specific emergency evacuation protocols.
This case has been assigned to Judge Mark C. Scarsi. As of May 20, 2025, the case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Jacquelynn Gutierrez (5/20/2025)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69861128/parties/jake-bertellotti-v-regents-of-the-university-of-california/
Scarsi, Mark Christopher (California)
Cabalo, Catherine (California)
MacLeod, Jillian (California)
Mehton, Khushpreet R (California)
Uzeta, Maria Michelle (California)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69861128/jake-bertellotti-v-regents-of-the-university-of-california/
Last updated Sept. 29, 2025, 1:19 a.m.
State / Territory: California
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: April 8, 2025
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Two UCLA students with disabilities who alleged insufficient accommodations and accessibility from the university
Plaintiff Type(s):
Attorney Organizations:
Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF)
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
University of California (Los Angeles), State
Defendant Type(s):
Facility Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12111 et seq.
Fair Housing Act/Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 3601 et seq.
Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act), 29 U.S.C. § 701
Ex parte Young (federal or state officials)
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Access to public accommodations - governmental
Disability and Disability Rights:
Discrimination Area:
Discrimination Basis: