Minneapolis, MN asked in Civil Rights and Education Law for Minnesota

Q: Recently tried out for the HS softball team but was rejected because they believed I would injure erbs palesy arm

I recently tried out for the HS softball team. I was nervous because I have erbs palesy making few things difficult. There are quite a few coaches maybe 5 and I had informed some of them about my disibility and each one had said it was fine. I went into the evaluation practice and gave it my all I was able to throw the ball and had absolutely no problem batting. When time came to announce the teams I had not made jv or any team for that matter but practically every girl who struggled did. I broke down because I new it was my disability that caused them to make the decision that they did yet I needed to make sure so my dad had made a call to the head couch to hear what she had to say. She told him that they believed I would hurt my arm but I had played football when I was younger and had no problem at all. I believe that was just an excuse so I wouldn't report her. I eventually went to talk to her and she suggested I try out for the track team. Do you believe this is discrimination?

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1 Lawyer Answer
Lucas Wynne
Lucas Wynne
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • St. Louis Park, MN
  • Licensed in Minnesota

A: More would need to be known before an attorney could properly evaluate your case, but feel free to give one a call as I believe this could be handled at a rather reasonable cost. The attorney would want to know 1) If a doctor has cleared you to play sports; and 2) Whether everybody made the team.

If you can obtain this information, it would be possible for an attorney to write a letter to the school to open negotiations for your participation in sports. Most schools will play hardball until an attorney gets involved. I am very sorry to hear this has happened to you, nobody should be treated differently due to the way they are.

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