Bloomfield Township Theater Agrees To Improve Access For People With Disabilities

The Maple Theater in Bloomfield Township has agreed to improve physical accessibility for people with disabilities at the theater, U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced today. 

The settlement agreement resolves an investigation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, alleging that the theater’s 2012 renovations allowed insufficient room for wheelchair seating.  The complaint was filed by a Bloomfield Hills moviegoer with a mobility disability. 

Under the agreement, the Maple Theater agreed to construct a new accessible unisex bathroom, relocate some of the existing accessible seating, ensure that the theater has accessible aisle seating and handrails in each auditorium, and make the bar area more accessible.  Construction on some of the modifications is scheduled to begin this month, and the entire project should be completed within six months.  Today’s agreement was reached under Title III of the ADA, which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities by public accommodations. 

“The law ensures that people with disabilities have the same access to public accommodations as all other Americans,” McQuade said.  “This case is a reminder to businesses considering renovations that the Americans with Disabilities Act requires that building alterations comply with design standards.”

For more information on the ADA or today’s agreement with the Maple Theater, 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.