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Conn. Hotels Are Focus of ADA Enforcement by U.S. Attorney's Office
Michelle Tuccitto Sullo, The Connecticut Law Tribune
September 1, 2015
http://www.ctlawtribune.com/id=1202736199289/Conn-Hotels-Are-Focus-of-ADA-Enforcement-by-US-Attorneys-Office?mcode=1202615402746&curindex=0
In the 25 years since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, many public buildings like schools and courthouses have been upgraded to be accessible to those with disabilities. But the law also extends to "places of public accommodation" such as hotels, and federal officials have been pushing in recent months to make hotels around the state accessible too.
The U.S. Attorney's Office recently announced that Comfort Inn & Suites on East Main Street in Meriden had entered into a voluntary agreement in which the hotel's owners agree to make several improvements to bring the facility into compliance with the ADA.
Thomas Carson, a spokesman for the office, said its investigation of the hotel stemmed from a citizen complaint.
Investigators did a compliance review at the hotel in March. Because the August agreement was reached with the company, Ekta Meshva Hospitality of Connecticut, doing business as Comfort Inn & Suites, the government decided against pursuing civil litigation.
U.S. Attorney Deirdre Daly said the hotel is in the process of making changes, including improvements to rooms, public areas and the parking lot. The improvements will continue over the next 18 months.
The changes to the hotel rooms include seats and additional grab bars in the showers and adjusted showerheads, for example. The parking lot will be restriped. The breakfast area will be staffed with an attendant during the breakfast hours to assist any disabled persons, and a sign will be displayed to let guests know such assistance is available, according to the agreement.
Within six months, the hotel will develop a training program for employees explaining the rights of individuals with disabilities and the hotel's responsibilities.
The business is required to provide the U.S. Attorney's Office with a report on its actions and plans, along with photographic documentation of changes made to the facility. If the government finds that the hotel has violated the agreement, it can commence a civil action in federal court.
Daly said the ADA ensures that individuals are able to access the state's hotels and other public accommodations. "Our office is committed to enforcing the ADA, which requires businesses to appropriately serve the diverse population of patrons who live, work and visit Connecticut," Daly said. "We appreciate the willingness of Comfort Inn & Suites to make the necessary changes."
Daly noted the business was cooperative and has been working with her office to fix the accessibility issues without the need for litigation.
The ADA authorizes the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate complaints and to undertake periodic reviews of compliance of entities covered under the ADA. The Justice Department is also authorized to commence a civil lawsuit in federal court in any case that involves a pattern or practice of discrimination or that raises issues of general public importance, and to seek injunctive relief, monetary damages and civil penalties, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Earlier this year, the office did a compliance review survey of 12 randomly selected, New Haven-area hotels. The hotels' staff were asked to complete forms, and then on-site inspections were conducted. In May, the office indicated that six were found to have ADA violations. Three of them—La Quinta Inn and Suites, the Courtyard Marriott and the New Haven Hotel—entered into formal settlement agreements with the government to address the violations. The U.S. Attorney's Office is seeking to get voluntary compliance agreements with the other hotels.
Anyone who wishes to file a complaint alleging a hotel or any other place of public accommodation in Connecticut is not accessible to disabled persons may contact the U.S. Attorney's Office at 203-821-3700.
Michelle Tuccitto Sullo, The Connecticut Law Tribune
September 1, 2015
http://www.ctlawtribune.com/id=1202736199289/Conn-Hotels-Are-Focus-of-ADA-Enforcement-by-US-Attorneys-Office?mcode=1202615402746&curindex=0
In the 25 years since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, many public buildings like schools and courthouses have been upgraded to be accessible to those with disabilities. But the law also extends to "places of public accommodation" such as hotels, and federal officials have been pushing in recent months to make hotels around the state accessible too.
The U.S. Attorney's Office recently announced that Comfort Inn & Suites on East Main Street in Meriden had entered into a voluntary agreement in which the hotel's owners agree to make several improvements to bring the facility into compliance with the ADA.
Thomas Carson, a spokesman for the office, said its investigation of the hotel stemmed from a citizen complaint.
Investigators did a compliance review at the hotel in March. Because the August agreement was reached with the company, Ekta Meshva Hospitality of Connecticut, doing business as Comfort Inn & Suites, the government decided against pursuing civil litigation.
U.S. Attorney Deirdre Daly said the hotel is in the process of making changes, including improvements to rooms, public areas and the parking lot. The improvements will continue over the next 18 months.
The changes to the hotel rooms include seats and additional grab bars in the showers and adjusted showerheads, for example. The parking lot will be restriped. The breakfast area will be staffed with an attendant during the breakfast hours to assist any disabled persons, and a sign will be displayed to let guests know such assistance is available, according to the agreement.
Within six months, the hotel will develop a training program for employees explaining the rights of individuals with disabilities and the hotel's responsibilities.
The business is required to provide the U.S. Attorney's Office with a report on its actions and plans, along with photographic documentation of changes made to the facility. If the government finds that the hotel has violated the agreement, it can commence a civil action in federal court.
Daly said the ADA ensures that individuals are able to access the state's hotels and other public accommodations. "Our office is committed to enforcing the ADA, which requires businesses to appropriately serve the diverse population of patrons who live, work and visit Connecticut," Daly said. "We appreciate the willingness of Comfort Inn & Suites to make the necessary changes."
Daly noted the business was cooperative and has been working with her office to fix the accessibility issues without the need for litigation.
The ADA authorizes the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate complaints and to undertake periodic reviews of compliance of entities covered under the ADA. The Justice Department is also authorized to commence a civil lawsuit in federal court in any case that involves a pattern or practice of discrimination or that raises issues of general public importance, and to seek injunctive relief, monetary damages and civil penalties, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Earlier this year, the office did a compliance review survey of 12 randomly selected, New Haven-area hotels. The hotels' staff were asked to complete forms, and then on-site inspections were conducted. In May, the office indicated that six were found to have ADA violations. Three of them—La Quinta Inn and Suites, the Courtyard Marriott and the New Haven Hotel—entered into formal settlement agreements with the government to address the violations. The U.S. Attorney's Office is seeking to get voluntary compliance agreements with the other hotels.
Anyone who wishes to file a complaint alleging a hotel or any other place of public accommodation in Connecticut is not accessible to disabled persons may contact the U.S. Attorney's Office at 203-821-3700.
