Former Federal Employee Alleges Disability Discrimination Against U.S. Air Force

In a compelling case that underscores the ongoing challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in the workplace, a former federal employee has taken legal action against the United States Air Force. Bennett Lester Williams III filed a complaint on February 1, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, accusing Hon. Troy E. Meink, Secretary of the Air Force, of disability discrimination under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Williams, who served as an Aircraft Mechanic at Robins Air Force Base, claims that after sustaining a work-related injury in August 2021, he was subjected to discriminatory practices due to his medical restrictions. Despite being capable of performing various essential and non-essential job duties with reasonable accommodations, Williams alleges that his requests for reassignment to suitable positions were ignored or mishandled by management officials. “Management officials were aware of Plaintiff’s disability and restrictions,” states the complaint, yet failed to engage in good faith efforts to accommodate him.

The lawsuit highlights several key failures by the Air Force: not providing reasonable accommodation, not engaging in an interactive process as required by law, and misleading Williams about his administrative remedies. Instead of accommodating him through available vacancies, Williams was placed into a local priority placement process that ultimately did not result in employment despite existing suitable positions. This led to his separation from service on October 7, 2024, citing “medical inability to perform,” which Williams contests as unjust given his ability to work with proper accommodations.

Williams seeks judgment exceeding $75,000 for damages including loss of income and benefits as well as emotional distress caused by his separation. He is also pursuing compensatory and punitive damages along with attorney’s fees and costs. The case raises significant questions about compliance with federal laws designed to protect employees with disabilities from discrimination.

Representing Williams is Mu’min F. Islam from ACE Law Group LP based in Atlanta. The case is presided over by Judge Troy E. Meink under Case No. 5:26-cv-00044-TES.