An NBC7 investigation into the dismissal of a disabled teenager from summer camp is now the subject of a federal lawsuit.
Devyn Solo's family filed a discrimination complaint Monday against the women's organization that sponsors the camp.
At 13, Solo earned a special invitation to the math and science camp last summer but after one day was sent home.
The women's organization that sponsors the camp, promotes self-confidence and equal rights but a lawsuit filed in the Federal Court Southern District, accuses the group of doing just the opposite.
Solo has cystic fibrosis. It requires two self-administered 20 minute treatments daily.
Rosalind Solo says her daughter was kicked out of Tech trek, by camp Co- Director Rozanne Child because that treatment was too much trouble.
“The way Devyn was treated and the way it was handled after made it very clear it was a systemic problem,” Devyn’s mother Rosalind said.
Local
The complaint filed Monday in federal court , claims the American Association of University Women , violated the Americans with Disability act.
“That the defendants, which include the state and national organizations unlawfully discriminated against Devyn by ejecting her fromthe AAUW Tech Trek camp at the University of California, San Diego, solely based on her disability.”
“She's gone through counseling because of it. She and I have had a lot of conversations. She knows she is cared for and advocated for,” Rosalind said.
Two calls to the National and State AAUW were not returned Monday.
The AAUW national organization gave this statement to NBC7 Investigates last July, "Tech Trek at the University of California, San Diego, is a locally run program of AAUW of California. While we don't know the particulars of this situation at this time, we do know that AAUW of California has a 16-year reputation of providing excellent stem programming to girls throughout the state."
The lawsuit does not demand a specific dollar amount for damages but Attorney Peter Schey says they most certainly want
change.
“A nationwide order that requires the organization to protect the rights of young girls and women with disabilities,” Solo’s Attorney Peter Schey said.
Rosalind doesn't want her daughter discouraged. Devyn worked hard to get into Tech Trek Camp. It was a chance to prove herself against others without her disability.
“I want her to know there is some justice in the injustice that was done to her,” Rosalind said.
Solo's attorney says there is no response from AAUW yet because he is still trying to track down the organization's legal representatives.
He expects to give notice to them later this week.
