Alabama U.S. Attorney's Offices Reach A Settlement Agreement To Ensure ADA Compliance At Dollar General Stores Throughout The State

United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announced today that the U.S. Attorney’s Office recently entered into a statewide settlement agreement with Dolgencorp, LLC, to ensure that all Dollar General stores in the state of Alabama are in compliance with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). His office partnered with the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Northern and Middle Districts of Alabama in reaching that agreement.

Dolgencorp, doing business as Dollar General, operates discount department stores nationwide. There are 693 stores located in the state of Alabama. After receiving complaints about disability access to the stores, an investigation revealed a recurring problem with many stores having merchandise, shopping carts, boxes, and other items stored in the common areas of the stores’ exterior and interior spaces. These kinds of obstructions reduced or eliminated accessibility for disabled customers.

To correct these problems, Dolgencorp has agreed to implement a policy that will prohibit its employees from placing items in areas such as handicap parking spaces and interior access aisles. Dolgencorp also has agreed to provide annual training to all of its employees in the state to ensure that they are knowledgeable about the requirements of the ADA, and the corporation will have an ADA Coordinator to assist with the handling of complaints and employee training.

United States Attorney Brown said, "I applaud Dollar General for its commitment to bringing its stores into compliance with the ADA. It is of great importance that all patrons in Alabama, especially those with disabilities, are able to enjoy equal access during their shopping experiences. Dollar General adopted our recommendations and moved swiftly to remedy the issues."

Title III of the ADA prohibits discrimination in “the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of a place of public accommodation by any person who owns, leases (or leases to), or operates a place of public accommodation.” 42 U.S.C. § 12182. The Department of Justice recognizes that importance of those with disabilities being integrated in society and having “full and equal enjoyment” of the services provided.

Southern District of Alabama Assistant United States Attorney Suntrease Williams-Maynard is the U.S. Attorney’s Office point of contact on this case.

More information regarding maintaining accessible features in retail establishments may be found at https://www.ada.gov/business/retail_access.htm. People interested in learning more about the requirements of the ADA may visit the website www.ada.gov or call the toll free ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 (TTY). They may also learn more about the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s own civil rights enforcement program, which includes enforcement of the ADA, at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdal/civil-rights-enforcement-unit.