Press Release
☷Justice Department Reaches Agreement with Columbus Ohio Hotel to Improve Access for People with Disabilities
U.S. Department of Justice ( By Press Release office)
May 04,2022
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The Justice Department today entered into an agreement under the Americans with Disabilities Act ( ADA ) with the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites in Columbus , Ohio . The department reached the agreement with Badrivishal LLC , which owns and operates the hotel . The agreement requires a series of modifications to provide better access for customers with disabilities , including those who use wheelchairs . The Civil Rights Division launched an investigation after it received a complaint from a couple who claimed that they reserved accessible rooms after being told by hotel staff that the rooms had accessible “roll - in” showers fitted for wheelchairs . Upon arrival during the Thanksgiving holiday , neither of the bathrooms had a roll - in shower and the couple were forced to find a different hotel . The ADA requires that hotels provide access to individuals with disabilities , including those who use wheelchairs . After conducting an architectural assessment , the department alleged that the hotel here failed to comply with the accessibility standards under the ADA and presented barriers for people using wheelchairs . These barriers prevented such individuals from entering showers in the room , safely transferring into beds , enjoying the breakfast offered at the hotel , accessing the front desk and getting from accessible parking into the hotel . “As the country reopens from the COVID - 19 pandemic and people travel with more frequency , people who use wheelchairs should not face barriers at hotels because of their disabilities , ” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division . “The Civil Rights Division is committed to enforcing the rights of people with disabilities so that they may travel worry - free and enjoy access to hotels . ”Under the agreement , the hotel will remove these barriers by modifying parking spaces , building entrances , public restrooms , the front desk , drinking fountains and routes within the hotel to ensure that they are accessible . The hotel will also ensure that its rooms , including bathrooms , that are required and advertised as accessible to people who use wheelchairs are , in fact , accessible . The agreement further requires the hotel’s managers , front desk personnel and reservations staff undergo training regarding the ADA’s requirements to accommodate individuals with disabilities . Finally , the hotel will pay $20 , 000 in damages to the couple harmed by the discrimination . People interested in finding out more about the agreement , or the ADA can call the Justice Department’s toll - free ADA information line at 800 - 514 - 0301 or 800 - 514 - 0383 ( TDD ) , or access the ADA website at http://www . ada . gov .
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