Press Release
U.S. Attorney’s Office Reaches Settlement With Ann Arbor HotelsTo Improve Accessibility For Disabled Guests
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Michigan
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan has reached an agreement with an Ann Arbor hotel owner to resolve a complaint filed by a Chicago man who could not attend his law school reunion with his disabled son because of the lack of accessible guest rooms.
The settlement resolves allegations against Campus Inn/Bell Tower Joint Venture, the owner/operator of the Campus Inn and the Bell Tower hotels, both located in Ann Arbor, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and will improve physical accessibility for people with disabilities at both hotels.
“This case is an important reminder to owners of older buildings that they are required to make all readily achievable modifications to their properties to improve accessibility for guests with disabilities,” said U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade.
Under the settlement agreement, the Campus Inn and the Bell Tower Hotels agreed to make renovations to guest rooms, public restrooms and elevators, to permit service animals and to change their policies regarding reservations for accessible rooms. They also agreed to improve signage, to provide additional training for employees and to pay $1,500 in compensatory damages to the complainant.
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 Campus Inn/Bell Tower Joint Venture, visit www.ada.gov or telephone the U.S. Department of Justice’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.Updated March 19, 2015
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