The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut has reached a settlement with Stamford Hotel Propco, LLC and MJ Hotels of Stamford, LLC, owners and managers of the Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa. This agreement addresses allegations that the hotel was not in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

The settlement follows an ADA complaint by an individual with a disability, claiming that the Stamford Marriott was not accessible for people with physical disabilities. The agreement requires several changes to be made at the hotel to improve accessibility. These include making one suite accessible for individuals with mobility disabilities, adapting 14 additional rooms for those with hearing disabilities, and modifying other accessible rooms to meet the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design.

Furthermore, the hotel will enhance its lobby restaurants by adding accessible dining surfaces and will make adjustments to restrooms on various levels to increase accessibility. Changes will also be made in the parking garage, such as adding signs and access aisles to parking spaces designated as accessible and adjusting curb ramps.

The Stamford Marriott is currently implementing these modifications and plans to continue improvements over a period of 30 months.

Under federal law, private entities operating places of public accommodation are prohibited from discriminating based on disability. The ADA empowers the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate complaints regarding non-compliance and undertake periodic reviews. The department can initiate civil lawsuits in federal court if there is a pattern or practice of discrimination or issues affecting public interest, seeking injunctive relief, monetary damages, and civil penalties.

Members of the public wishing to file complaints about inaccessible public accommodations or entities in Connecticut can contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 203-696-3000.

For more information about ADA regulations, visit www.ada.gov or call the Justice Department’s toll-free line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 (TTY). Details about the Civil Rights Division's work are available at www.justice.gov/crt.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stewart C. Dearing handled this matter.