DOJ and Hilton Hotels Settle Accessibility Suit with Landmark Agreement

From the Equal Rights Center (11.17.10):

The Equal Rights Center (ERC) was very pleased to hear about the recent settlement between the DOJ and Hilton Hotels that will make approximately 900 hotels owned by Hilton more accessible. This huge victory for people with disabilities expands upon the agreement reached by the ERC and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) with Hilton Hotels earlier this year that improved the accessibility of three hotels in the District of Columbia.

The DOJ settlement causing more than 900 hotels to be made more accessible makes the accessibility improvement nationwide, allowing people with disabilities to travel with more ease.  This settlement also marks the first time that an agreement under the ADA has specifically detailed how a hotel reservations system should be made accessible and the first time that a hotel chain has been required to make its online reservations system accessible—both through accessible technology and a requirement to provide data about accessible features in guest rooms throughout the chain.

We applaud Hilton for becoming a new industry leader in accessibility and, as a disability rights advocate, hope you pass along the word to any of those who this settlement may help.

>>> For a Travel Weekly Article on this Settlement

>>> For a comprehensive summary of the terms of the settlement

Comments

[Csaba Hutoczki]

I certainly expect to see an increasingly accommodating spirit and attitude toward people with disabilities and the ADA from all in the hospitality industry without the need of a Complaint by the United States. Improving company-wide standards, appointing an ADA Compliance Officer, enhancing web site accessibility for reservations, updating guest rooms, and providing additional relevant training for employees is the minimum to facilitate all potential customers who are in need of these improved services.

Hopefully, the magnitude of this settlement will prompt other chains and establishments – still lacking proper access for all – to do the right thing before they are forced by the DOJ to obey the law.