On September 14, 2026, Judge Ramón E. Reyes, Jr. of the Eastern District of New York substantially denied Defendants’ attempt to dismiss a lawsuit filed in March 2025 by Brooklyn resident Albert Elia and the National Federation of the Blind – New York (NFBNY) against the New York State Unified Court System and the Kings County Commissioner of Jurors challenging their systemic discrimination against blind individuals who report for jury duty.
Although Judge Reyes dismissed NFBNY and the Kings County Commissioner of Jurors as parties, as well as certain state law claims, Judge Reyes found that Mr. Elia adequately alleged a violation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act, so Mr. Elia’s core claims seeking equal access to jury service for blind individuals remain. Mr. Elia and NFBNY are represented by Brown, Goldstein & Levy attorneys Eve Hill and Michelle Fraling, along with co-counsel from Disability Rights Advocates.
Mr. Elia, an attorney and graduate from Northeastern University School of Law and Harvard College, was sworn in as a grand juror in Kings County Supreme Court in fall 2024. He met all the requirements to serve as a juror. But on his first day, the Court excluded him from deliberating on cases that involved video or photo evidence, under the incorrect and harmful assumption that Mr. Elia could not interpret that evidence because he is blind, and he was ultimately dismissed altogether. The Court refused to allow Mr. Elia to use assistive technology or receive verbal descriptions of evidence which would have allowed him to fulfill his civic duty alongside his fellow grand jurors. The lawsuit alleges that the Brooklyn courts fail to have appropriate policies and procedures in place to avoid these exclusionary practices.
In his opinion, Judge Reyes recognized that “Elia’s exclusion from the grand jury stemmed directly from the failure of the court system to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure Elia had the opportunity to participate in the grand jury.” He highlighted “[t]he current lack of a reasonable accommodations procedure for blind individuals” and noted that “a reasonable ADA accommodation would plausibly facilitat[e] equal access to jury service.” This is precisely what Mr. Elia seeks – full and equal access.
“I am gratified that the court recognized several ways I and other blind jurors could be accommodated,” said plaintiff Albert Elia. “I hope the defendant takes note and stops arguing that the blind check their rights at the door when they enter the courthouse.”
“This ruling affirms that blind people must have the opportunity and reasonable accommodations to participate fully in all aspects of civic life, including one of the most important responsibilities in our democracy: jury service,” said Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind. “For decades, the National Federation of the Blind has fought to ensure that blind Americans are not denied the right to serve based on misconceptions about blindness, and we will continue working toward equal access in New York’s courts and across the nation.”
“Judge Reyes’ decision is a small victory for the principles of democracy and equal participation,” said Michelle Fraling, attorney at Brown, Goldstein & Levy. “We look forward to ensuring that blind jurors receive the accommodations they need to participate in the democratic process.”
The complaint alleges that Mr. Elia’s experience is part of a pattern of discrimination against blind jurors in New York State courts. Among other relief, the lawsuit seeks an order to ensure that Defendants take all necessary steps to ensure blind individuals have equal access to jury service.
ABOUT EVE HILL
Eve Hill is one of the nation’s leading civil rights lawyers, known especially for her work with clients with disabilities and LGBTQ+ clients. She has been recognized by Law360 as one of just 12 “Titans of the Plaintiffs’ Bar” for 2023, as well as by Lawdragon as one of the 500 Leading Lawyers in America (2022-2026). Her wide-ranging experience complements Brown, Goldstein & Levy’s decades of dedication to high-impact disability rights cases and its advocacy on behalf of individuals with disabilities and their families. Eve also leads Inclusivity, BGL’s Strategic Consulting Group, which works with organizations to promote the education, engagement, and employment of people with disabilities. Learn more about Eve here.
ABOUT MICHELLE FRALING
Michelle Fraling is a civil rights lawyer dedicated to advancing justice and ensuring equality. Her practice spans a wide range of civil rights issues, including disability rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and employment discrimination. Michelle brings a trauma-informed, client-centered approach to her practice. She understands how deeply the law can affect people’s lives and prioritizes making people feel seen, heard, and empowered throughout the legal process. Before joining Brown, Goldstein & Levy, Michelle was a Skadden Fellow with the ACLU where she investigated and litigated cases on behalf of veterans, the LGBTQ+ community, and people with disabilities. Her fellowship project focused on expanding access to health care for LGBTQ+ veterans and service members. Learn more about Michelle here.
ABOUT BROWN, GOLDSTEIN & LEVY
Founded in 1982, Brown, Goldstein & Levy is a law firm based in Baltimore, Maryland, with an office in Washington, DC. The firm is nationally recognized in a wide variety of practice areas, including complex civil and commercial litigation, civil rights, health care, family law, criminal defense, and appellate advocacy. Above all else, Brown, Goldstein & Levy is a client-centered law firm that brings decades of experience and passionate, effective advocacy to its clients’ fight for justice.
PLEASE FIND MEDIA COVERAGE BELOW
Federal Court Rules Case Alleging Systemic Discrimination by New York Courts Against Blind Jurors in Grand Jury System Can Proceed | Disability Rights Advocates (9/24/2026)
Blind man dismissed from grand jury duty can sue NY for discrimination, judge rules | Gothamist (October 6, 2026)
Federal court allows alleged systemic discrimination case to proceed | Caribbean Life (October 5, 2026)