U.S. Attorney’s Office Reaches Settlement With Palace Sports And Entertainment To Improve Access For People With Disabilities At The Palace Of Auburn Hills

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan has reached an agreement with Palace Sports and Entertainment, LLC, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for extensive changes to improve physical accessibility and opportunities for people with disabilities at The Palace of Auburn Hills, a large entertainment complex, and home of the NBA team the Detroit Pistons, located in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The settlement agreement resolves an investigation following complaints filed by two separate patrons with disabilities who were unable to attend events at The Palace, as well as a complaint from the Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America.

“We applaud the new owners of the Palace of Auburn Hills for agreeing to make meaningful changes that will ensure full and equal access to its facilities for people with disabilities” said U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade.

“Providing an accessible environment for our patrons is the core of our business.  We thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for working closely with us to elevate the level of service and accessibility at the Palace of Auburn Hills,” said Palace Sports & Entertainment’s Richard Haddad. “This effort is a cornerstone of our capital improvement plan and we’re proud to expand our commitment to enhance the experience of everyone who comes to the Palace.”

Under the settlement agreement, Palace Sports will provide at least 99 wheelchair accessible seats, and an equal number of companion seats, dispersed vertically and horizontally throughout The Palace, and will provide people in wheelchairs with lines of sight over standing spectators that are comparable to those offered to individuals without disabilities.  In addition, beginning with all tickets on sale after October 1, 2013, tickets for accessible and companion seats will be available for  purchase in the same manner as general seats, including online through Ticketmaster.  Palace Sports has also agreed to improve accessibility in restrooms, restaurants, concession stands, parking areas, suites, and dressing rooms; improve signage throughout The Palace, and to annually train its employees on the ADA. 

Today’s agreement was reached under Title III of the ADA, which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities by public accommodations.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office will actively monitor compliance with the agreement, which will remain in effect for three years.

For more information on the ADA and today’s agreement with Palace Sports and Entertainment, visit www.ada.gov or call the United States Justice Department’s toll-free ADA Information line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 (TTY) or the U.S. Attorney’s Civil Rights hotline at (313) 226-9151.