Brookfield Restaurant In ADA Complaint Agrees to Settlement

BROOKFIELD, CT — A Brookfield restaurant has reached an agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office following allegations it failed to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

A disabled customer had complained that Down the Hatch, at 292 Candlewood Lake Road, forced the removal of their service animal. An additional complaint alleged that the restrooms and parking spaces were inaccessible to disabled patrons.

"As a result of the settlement agreement, the restaurant is in the process of posting signage indicating 'Service Animals Welcome,' implementing a 'Service Animal Policy,' which includes the types of legally permissible inquiries employees may make of a customer who enters the restaurant with a service animal, and training employees regarding the policy," according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Down the Hatch has also made a compensation payment to the complainant, and has agreed to make "significant improvements that will increase accessibility to restrooms and parking spaces on the premises."

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, the owner of Don the Hatch worked cooperatively with government officials to address the ADA issues and avoided litigation:

"The ADA requires businesses to appropriately serve the diverse populations of patrons who live, work, and visit Connecticut. We appreciate Down the Hatch’s commitment to increasing access to its restaurant for individuals with disabilities who require service animal assistance and those with mobility challenges."