Paul P. Harbrecht, III has accepted $2,500 and an intercom ampifier to settle his disability discrimination lawsuit against the Ann Arbor Housing Commission. Harbrecht, who suffers from hearing loss, first requested an amplifier for the doorbell/intercom system at this apartment at Baker Commons over three years ago. Harbrecht, who lives on the 3rd floor of Baker Commons, needed the amplifier to hear the buzzer at the the front door. The amplifier also allows Mr. Harbrecht to communicate through the intercom system to screen guests.
Harbrecht’s requests were initially ignored. The Commission later insisted that Harbrecht accept a lighted doorbell typically used by those with no ability to hear. “I wanted to use the hearing I have. With the lighted bell I would have to go downstairs to see who was there before I let them in. Tenants without hearing impairments don’t have to do that,” Harbrecht told FHC staff.
Letters to the Ann Arbor Housing Commission from both Harbrecht and the Fair Housing Center requesting a reasonable accommodation did not result in the installation of an amplification system. FHC Cooperating Attorney Ericka Jackson of Sommers, Schwartz, Silver and Schwartz filed suit on behalf of Harbrecht. Ms. Jackson was assisted by Attorney David Greco. Filed in Washtenaw County Circuit Court, the case was assigned to Judge David S. Swartz.