Beaufort Co. allows Daufuskie ferry disability problems to persist. A federal suit looms

At least 13 Daufuskie Island residents are prepared to file a federal complaint against Beaufort County over ongoing disability law violations on the Daufuskie Island ferry, according to Rebecca Fulmer of Disability Rights South Carolina.

The complaint will mark the first legal action against Beaufort County regarding the ferry. It also highlights the county’s non-response to the group’s claims of Americans with Disabilities Act violations. In the three months since Disability Rights South Carolina first contacted Beaufort County, the council, administrators and attorneys haven’t provided a “substantive response,” according to a June 27 letter from the nonprofit to the county. The letter also said Beaufort County omitted and redacted documents from Disability Rights South Carolina’s records requests without justification.

“At this point, our options have been narrowed to litigation,” Fulmer said.

Residents and tourists with disabilities have had issues getting on and off the boat since Beaufort County began contracting Lowcountry Ferry to run the public service in January 2024. From there, Disability Rights South Carolina became involved. The organization sent a series of five letters to the county council and administration notifying them of the ADA violations, asking for changes and requesting documents beginning on March 21. The organization sent a sixth letter on June 27 informing the county of planned legal action.

“We’re open to immediate talks if the county is considering or will consider rescinding its contract with Lowcountry Ferry,” Fulmer said. “And having an agreement with another ferry service that is safe and accessible.”

The Americans with Disabilities Act is a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on disability. Fulmer emphasized that publicly contracted services such as the ferry aren’t excluded from the ADA.

If the lawsuit is filed, it won’t be the only federal complaint against the county. Former county employee Lisa Lynch filed a federal lawsuit against Beaufort County on May 24 claiming sexual harassment related to her dealings with former Beaufort County Administrator Eric Greenway.