JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Because of the massive renovations at EverBank Field, handicap seats were removed, limiting access for disabled fans.
The city has since entered a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice to fix the problem by the end of 2016. First Coast News learned Wednesday that they finished a year ahead of schedule.
"To me this is some kind of discrimination against people in wheelchairs," said Lisa Russel told First Coast News two years ago.
Russel was upset because her son, who has cerebral palsy, was not able to get a handicap and companion seat to see the Jags play. The reason? During EverBank Field's $63 million renovation -- which included the new video boards and pools -- 60 handicap seats were removed.
After those seats were removed, the Justice Department ordered the city to improve access for those with disabilities with a three-year deadline to do it.
When the home team takes the field for the first time in the 2015-2016 season, there will be an additional 218 seats for those with disabilities.
"There have been 352 seats that are accessible seats that have been identified with 352 companion seats with that. That number is the number that we've been shooting for," said Beth Meyer with the City of Jacksonville.
"We are working with our citizens with disabilities and as they attend our jaguar games we are going to continue to work on the line of sight and to make sure that any adjustments that we might need to make with the seats we will do that after the 2015 season."
EverBank Field was ranked in the top 10 NFL stadiums in the country and now, whether you are handicapped or not, there is a seat for you.
