Department of Justice Seal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CRT

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2001

(202) 514-2008

WWW.USDOJ.GOV

TDD (202) 514-1888


MARYLAND RESTAURANT TO BECOME ACCESSIBLE TO CUSTOMERS WITH

DISABILITIES UNDER AGREEMENT WITH JUSTICE DEPARTMENT


WASHINGTON, D.C. - A Maryland restaurant will remove physical barriers to access by persons with disabilities throughout its premises, under a consent decree reached today with the Justice Department.

The agreement, filed in U.S. District Court in Baltimore, resolves a lawsuit the Department filed against the owner of Giorgio's Restaurant in Silver Spring, Md., alleging that the restaurant violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Department charged that Giorgio's removed an access ramp to a raised bar area inside the restaurant and replaced it with steps and additional table seating. The bar area includes features that are not available to patrons seated in other sections of the restaurant, including cable television and tables where smoking is permitted.

The Department's lawsuit claimed that removing the ramp, which a previous owner had installed, violated the ADA because it denied some individuals with disabilities, especially those who use wheelchairs, access to the unique services provided in the bar area. Under today's agreement, Giorgio's will install a new ramp to the bar area.

The Department's lawsuit also alleged that Giorgio's made other alterations to the bar area without ensuring accessibility, and that it set up physical barriers to access in other areas of the restaurant. Giorgio's has agreed to remove these barriers in the restaurant's entrance, front vestibule, restrooms and main dining area and ensure that the path of travel to the bar area and the restrooms, telephones, and drinking fountains serving the bar area are readily accessible to people with disabilities. The agreement, which is subject to approval by the court, also calls for Giorgio's to pay $3,500 in civil penalties.

The ADA, passed in 1990, prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities by a variety of public and private entities. Title III of the ADA requires public accommodations, such as restaurants, that were built prior to January 26, 1992, to remove any physical barriers to access when it is readily achievable to do so. Alterations made to restaurants after this date must be made in compliance with the ADA Standards for Accessible Design.

Individuals interested in finding out more about the ADA, or today's consent decree, can call the Department's toll-free ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 or (800)514-0383/TDD or visit the ADA Home Page at: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm.

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