U.S. Attorney's Office Reaches ADA Settlement with Circle Hotel in Fairfield

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 Circle Hotel in Fairfield, to resolve allegations that the hotel was not 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 Circle Hotel was not accessible for individuals with physical disabilities.  The hotel is in the process of making the changes required by the settlement agreement, including designing and constructing accessible guest rooms, an accessible route to the new guest rooms, and a new accessible restroom in the hotel’s lobby area.  The settlement agreement also requires the Circle Hotel to add accessible parking spaces, an accessible route from the new accessible parking spaces to the designated accessible entrance, and accessible seating in the hotel’s lobby, breakfast and patio areas.  The hotel will continue to make improvements over the next two years.

Under federal law, private entities that own or operate places of “public accommodation,” including hotels and inns, 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 the cooperation of the owners of the Circle Hotel throughout this investigation and applauded their willingness to improve accessibility at their hotel without the need for litigation.

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.

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.