Killingly Restaurant to Make Changes to Comply with Americans with Disabilities Act

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has reached a settlement agreement with the Golden Greek Restaurant and Pub in Killingly to resolve allegations that the restaurant was not operating in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”).

The settlement agreement resolves an ADA complaint filed by an individual with disabilities alleging that the Golden Greek was not accessible for individuals with physical disabilities.  The restaurant is in the process of making the changes required by the settlement agreement, including adding accessible parking spaces, creating accessible entrances to the restaurant and patio area, and renovating the restaurant’s restrooms to make them accessible for individuals with disabilities.  The restaurant will also implement new policies providing curbside carry out service for individuals with mobility disabilities and table service to individuals in wheelchairs in the restaurant’s bar area.  The Golden Greek will continue to make improvements over the next 22 months.

Under federal law, private entities that own or operate places of “public accommodation,” including restaurants and bars, are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of disability.  The ADA authorizes the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate complaints and undertake periodic reviews of compliance of covered entities.  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.

U.S. Attorney Durham noted that the ownership of the Golden Greek has worked cooperatively and collaboratively with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to address the ADA issues complained of without the need for litigation.

“The Americans with Disabilities Act ensures that individuals are able to access and enjoy the state’s restaurants, bars, and other places of public accommodation,” stated U.S. Attorney Durham. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to enforcing the ADA in order to ensure that places of public accommodation in the State of Connecticut are accessible for individuals with disabilities.  We appreciate that the Golden Greek has agreed to take the steps outlined in the settlement agreement in order to greatly increase the accessibility of its facility,” said U.S. Attorney Durham.

Any member of the public who wishes to file a complaint alleging that any place of public accommodation or public entity in Connecticut is not accessible to persons with disabilities may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 203-821-3700.

Additional information about the ADA can be found at www.ada.gov, or by calling the Justice Department’s toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 and (800) 514-0383 (TTY).  More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt.

This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica H. Soufer of the District of Connecticut in coordination with the Disability Rights Section of the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.