A former employee has taken legal action against a nonprofit organization, alleging severe workplace discrimination and retaliation. On November 21, 2025, Judiann Calkin filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against Orange County Cerebral Palsy Association, Inc., William Schwartz, and Melanie Moore. The lawsuit claims violations of multiple federal and state laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
Judiann Calkin, a 58-year-old woman from Middletown, New York, devoted nearly eight years to her role at Orange County Cerebral Palsy Association. She alleges that despite her dedication and strong performance as Coordinator for Respite Programs, she faced persistent discrimination due to her age, gender, and disability—a medical condition requiring an ostomy and colostomy bag. According to Calkin’s complaint, supervisors William Schwartz and Melanie Moore ridiculed her medical needs publicly and denied her reasonable accommodations. The complaint details incidents where Calkin was forced to work in humiliating conditions when her colostomy bag malfunctioned.
Calkin further accuses the defendants of retaliatory actions following her complaints about harassment to Human Resources. Her allegations include being ostracized by supervisors after taking FMLA-protected leave for mental health treatment. Upon returning from leave in March 2024, Calkin found several of her responsibilities reassigned to younger employees. She claims that this was part of a broader pattern of age discrimination.
The lawsuit also highlights specific incidents contributing to a hostile work environment. In one instance during May 2023 at the Monroe location, after an incident involving her colostomy bag exploding at work, she was allegedly forced by supervisor Nadine Bisquirt to remain in soiled clothing until completing assigned tasks. Additionally, Moore reportedly made violent remarks towards Calkin’s medical condition that were dismissed by HR as jokes.
Calkin is seeking various forms of relief from the court: full back pay with interest; compensatory damages for emotional distress; punitive damages; attorneys’ fees; costs; and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court. She argues that these remedies are necessary due to significant emotional stress caused by intolerable working conditions which led to her constructive discharge in July 2024.
Representing Calkin is attorney Scott Clark from Sacco & Fillas LLP based in Astoria, New York. The case is identified under Case ID 1:25-cv-09699 with no judge assigned yet.
Source: 125cv09699_Judiann_Calkin_v_Orange_Countyr_Complaint_Southern_District_of_New_York.pdf
