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CHICAGO, Oct. 29, 1998 - Equip for Equality, Inc.
has filed suit in federal court against the Chicago - Days Inn Downtown
/ Lake Shore Drive hotel for failing to accommodate members of America's
Athletes with Disabilities ("AAD"), a national, not-for-profit association
that sponsors athletic programs and sporting events for people with disabilities.
In 1997, AAD contacted the Days Inn hotel, located at 644 North Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, and requested a quote on ninety rooms to house athletes with disabilities and their families and friends during their stay in Chicago for an AAD-sponsored wheelchair basketball tournament to be held at Navy Pier. Days Inn was selected because of its physical proximity to Navy Pier, which would allow the athletes convenient and independent access to the tournament. Days Inn provided AAD with a quote of $79 per room. However, after AAD representatives toured the rooms, it was apparent that the doors to the bathrooms were too narrow for someone in a wheelchair to enter. In addition, it was determined that the banquet facility was inaccessible. Accordingly, AAD requested, as reasonable modifications, that the doors to the bathrooms be removed to allow access and that a ramp be installed in the banquet room. Days Inn originally agreed to remove the doors, but only at the additional
cost of $40 per room. Days Inn also indicated that AAD would have to pay
for the cost of the ramp for the banquet room. AAD informed Days Inn that
the extra charges were unlawful under the Americans with Disabilities Act
("ADA"). In response, Days Inn acknowledged that it could not charge for
the reasonable modifications, but it still refused to agree to AAD's accommodation
requests. The next day, Days Inn advised AAD that market conditions had
changed and the cost Would be $129 per room. When AAD tried to secure the
rooms at the increased rate, Days Inn informed AAD that there were no vacancies
for the dates in question. As a result, AAD was forced to find lodging
elsewhere at
"Days Inn's actions are in direct contravention of the ADA," said Karen I. Ward, Litigation Director of Equip for Equality and the lead attorney on the case. "The ADA clearly states that private businesses cannot pass on the cost of reasonable modifications to people with disabilities." Michael Figueras, a staff attorney at Equip for Equality, is also working on the case. "The discriminatory actions of Days Inn caused an incredible inconvenience to our members," said Deborah Bonsack, the Executive Director of AAD. "We were forced to make last minute arrangements to secure lodging at a hotel that was much further away from the tournament site and was more expensive." "Hotels and other businesses are legally responsible for making their establishments accessible to people with disabilities and for bearing these costs, said Zena Naiditch, President and CEO of Equip for Equality. "It is inexcusable for any business to have discriminatory practices 8 years after the enactment of the ADA." "It is surprising that this case involves Days Inn," said Barry Taylor, Program Director of Legal Advocacy Services of Equip for Equality, "Over the past few years, the United States Department of Justice has sued many Days Inn hotels across the country for failing to build accessible lodging. We hope this case will finally educate Days Inn, as well as other businesses, about their responsibilities under the ADA." "This litigation against Days Inn is the latest in a series of suits
brought by Equip for Equality as part of its ADA Campaign," said Zena Naiditch.
"The purpose of the Campaign is to educate people with disabilities, governmental
agencies, and private businesses about the ADA and to challenge discriminatory
practices."
Equip for Equality, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to advance the human and civil rights of people with physical and mental disabilities in Illinois. The organization is the state of Illinois' designated protection and advocacy system for people with disabilities, pursuant to federal law. |
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