Settlement Reached in ADA Case Against Greenwich Marina

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has reached a settlement agreement with the Town of Greenwich to resolve allegations that a Greenwich marina was not operating in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”).

The settlement agreement resolves an ADA complaint filed by an individual with disabilities alleging that Greenwich’s Byram Marina has no designated accessible boat slips and no accessible routes to the boat slips.  As a result, the marina is not accessible to individuals with physical disabilities.  Greenwich is in the process of making significant improvements to Byram Marina, as required by the settlement agreement, including improving the accessibility of designated boat slips, and the routes to those slips, as well as other accommodations designed to increase accessibility.

Under federal law, public entities are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of disability.  The ADA authorizes the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate complaints and undertake periodic reviews of compliance of covered entities.  The Justice Department is also authorized to commence a civil lawsuit in federal court in any case that involves a pattern or practice of discrimination or that raises issues of general public importance, and to seek injunctive relief, monetary damages, and civil penalties.

“Among the most important protections provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act are those ensuring individuals with disabilities have access to public services, including recreational activities such as boating,” stated U.S. Attorney Avery.  “Our Office is committed to enforcing the ADA, which requires public entities, including municipalities, to provide access to individuals with disabilities.  We greatly appreciate the willingness of the Town of Greenwich and its leaders to work with our office collaboratively to increase the accessibility and usability of Greenwich’s facilities.”

Any member of the public who wishes to file a complaint alleging that a public entity or place of public accommodation in Connecticut is not accessible to persons with disabilities may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 203-821-3700.

Additional information about the ADA can be found at www.ada.gov, or by calling the Justice Department’s toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 and (800) 514-0383 (TTY).  More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt.

This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney William M. Brown, Jr. of the District of Connecticut in coordination with the Disability Rights Section of the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.