A 25-year-old Michigan college student with a learning disability has the right to live in a campus dormitory, according to a ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Patrick Duggan.

The judge ruled that Oakland University can make reasonable accommodations to allow Micah Fialka-Feldman to live in the dormitory with his friends. 

The ruling will set national precedent under the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Fialka-Feldman began his quest to live in the dorm more than two years ago. He has been attending Oakland University since September 2003.

Fialka-Feldman has been taking a bus for two hours each way to get from his home to the college.

The university had argued that Fialka-Feldman was not eligible to live in the dorm because he was not on a path to get a degree. They feel that the accommodation will alter their housing program.

Fialka-Feldman is thrilled about his victory, and hopes that it will help other disabled people.

His family is also very proud of his perseverance, and his father said that Micah showed a lot of courage in his two year struggle to obtain equal rights.

His sister Emma is thrilled to return a favor to her brother, as he recently helped her move into a college dormitory in Massachusetts.

“Micah shows people the power of dreaming and working toward what you believe in and what is right,” she told the Oakland Press.

“This is just a beautiful way to celebrate the new year.”

More Information HERE

Article written by Donna Gundle-Kriega