Woodstock, Vermont Business Zaya’s Jewelers Located At 12 Central Street Takes Steps To Comply With The Americans With Disabilities Act

The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont announces that Zaya’s Jewelers and the owners of 12 Central Street, Woodstock, Vermont have agreed to complete specific modifications to come into compliance with Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). Title III of the ADA prohibits a public accommodation from denying an individual or a class of individuals, on the basis of a disability, the opportunity to participate in or benefit from the goods, services, facilities, or accommodations of an entity. Title III requires a public accommodation to remove architectural barriers to access in existing facilities where it is readily achievable to do so. The United States Attorney’s Office’s investigation began following a complaint made to the Vermont Human Rights Commission regarding the accessibility of 12 Central Street, Woodstock, Vermont.

An onsite survey of Zaya’s Jewelers performed by United States Department of Justice architects revealed ADA compliance issues related to the shop’s entrance and interior. Zaya’s Jewelers and the owners of 12 Central Street have remedied ADA compliance issues related to the shop’s entrance.

Zaya’s Jewelers and the owners of 12 Central Street recognized the obligation to address the issues identified in the onsite survey. The owner of Zaya’s Jewelers and the owners of 12 Central Street are to be commended for their cooperation with the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont.

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont worked in partnership with Tracey Tsugawa of the Vermont Human Rights Commission in addressing and resolving these important civil rights issues. Assistant United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest, with assistance from the Disability Rights Section of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, handled this matter on behalf of the United States and is working with other Vermont businesses to resolve their ADA compliance issues.  Further information on the ADA and its requirements may be found at www.ada.gov.