New Canaan to Make Significant Changes to Town Facilities to Comply with the ADA

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has reached a settlement agreement with the Town of New Canaan to resolve allegations that some of the town’s facilities did not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”).

The settlement agreement resolves a complaint filed by an individual alleging that some of New Canaan’s parks and sports facilities as well as parts of the Town Hall campus were inaccessible to individuals with mobility disabilities.

Under federal law, municipalities must ensure that their programs, services, and activities are accessible to individuals with mobility disabilities.  When municipalities alter or build new facilities, they must also make them accessible to persons with disabilities in accordance with the ADA Standards for Accessible Design.

New Canaan is in the process of making the significant improvements required by the settlement agreement at Waveny Park, New Canaan High School, Mead Park, and the Town Hall.  Some changes required by the settlement include adding accessible seating, parking, and routes to several sports fields and athletic facilities at New Canaan High School and Mead Park, and making numerous changes to the interior and exterior of Waveny House to make it more accessible, including adding an elevator.  The town will also create an accessible route from Vine Cottage to the Town Hall.

U.S. Attorney Avery commended the leadership of the Town of New Canaan for cooperating with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to resolve the investigation.  “Individuals with disabilities should have equal access to their local park and be able to cheer on their children at a local high school game without worrying about inaccessible facilities,” said U.S. Attorney Avery.  “I am pleased that New Canaan has made this commitment to making its facilities more accessible to individuals with disabilities.”

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 Civil Rights Intake Specialist at the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 203-696-3000.

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 (833) 610-1264 (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 Stewart C. Dearing in coordination with the Disability Rights Section of the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.