Fairfield Hotel Reaches Settlement After ADA Complaint

FAIRFIELD, CT — The U.S. Attorney’s Office has reached a settlement with the Circle Hotel in Fairfield to resolve allegations that the hotel was not in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice.

The settlement resolves an ADA complaint filed by a person with disabilities alleging that the Circle Hotel was not accessible. The hotel is in the process of making the changes required by the settlement, including designing and constructing accessible guest rooms, an accessible route to the new rooms, and a new accessible restroom in the lobby. The settlement also requires the Circle Hotel to add accessible parking spaces, an accessible route from the new spaces to the designated accessible entrance, and accessible seating in the lobby, breakfast and patio areas. The hotel will continue to make improvements over the next two years.

Under federal law, private entities that own or operate hotels and inns are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of disability. The ADA authorizes the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate complaints and review the compliance of covered entities. The department is also authorized to undertake a civil lawsuit in federal court and to seek injunctive relief, monetary damages and civil penalties in any case that involves a pattern or practice of discrimination or that raises issues of general public importance.

U.S. Attorney John H. Durham noted the cooperation of the owners of the Circle Hotel throughout the investigation and applauded their willingness to improve accessibility without litigation.

Anyone who wishes to file a complaint alleging that a place of public accommodation or public entity in Connecticut is not accessible to people with disabilities may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 203-821-3700.

Additional information about the ADA can be found at www.ada.gov, or by calling the justice department’s toll-free information line at 800-514-0301 and 800-514-0383. For information about the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces, visit www.justice.gov/crt.