Steve Butler, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama, announces the successful resolution of complaints made by a person with disabilities who could not access a local restaurant. The United States Attorney’s Office recently entered into a settlement agreement with the owner and operator of Old 27 Grill in Fairhope.
The office opened its investigation after receiving complaints that people with mobility disabilities were unable to access the restaurant. As a result of the settlement, the restaurant has agreed to add an ADA-compliant bathroom, accessible parking, tables, and routes throughout the restaurant. The restaurant also adopted policies which require providing dining assistance to persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, and people with mobility disabilities. Service dog policies were also adopted. Staff training is required by the agreement.
Acting United States Attorney Butler said, “After being notified of the investigation, the owner of Old 27 Grill eventually chose to do the appropriate thing, removing the barriers which prevented persons with disabilities from enjoying the restaurant. Not only is this required by law, but it’s also great for business. With more than 55 million persons with disabilities in our country, the restaurant has the potential for much more business."
This matter was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Holly L. Wiseman.
For more information, visit www.ada.gov or our office’s website at http://www.justice.gov/usao/als/civil/cre.html". Any person with a disability who believes they have been discriminated against in the Southern District of Alabama may contact our office at 63 South Royal Street, Suite 600, Mobile, AL 36602, telephone us at 251.441.5845 or file a complaint with the U. S. Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section, Washington, DC 20530.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
