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Southington Restaurant Making Changes After ADA Complaint

A Southington restaurant has agreed to make changes to ensure the business is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act after a person with mobility disabilities filed a complaint.

Smokin’ with Chris Restaurant reached a settlement with the US Attorney’s office that includes creating accessible parking spaces, adding an accessible entry route and entrance to the building, providing a ramp, constructing an accessible bathroom, and adding accessible seating in the dining, bar and patio areas.

According to the US Attorney’s Office, the restaurant is already in the process of making the changes and will continue improvements over the next year.

Under federal law, privately owned places of “public accommodation,” which includes restaurants, are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of disability. The ADA gives the US Department of Justice the ability to investigate complaints and review compliance. The Justice Department can also turn to litigation in a case that involves “a pattern or practice of discrimination or that raises issues of general public importance.”

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act, which ensures that individuals are able to access and enjoy the state’s restaurants and other places of public accommodation,” stated U.S. Attorney John Durham in a statement. “We appreciate the cooperation of the owners of Smokin’ with Chris throughout our investigation and their readiness to agree to remediate the restaurant’s architectural barriers.”

More information about the ADA can be found online or by calling the Justice Department at 800-514-0301 and 800-514-0383. Anyone who wishes to file a complaint can contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 203-821-3700.

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