Justice Department Settlements Will Ensure Accessibility of Casino Resorts in Las Vegas and Mississippi

WASHINGTON - The Department of Justice today announced two comprehensive settlements with casino resorts under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The first settlement agreement, with Mandalay Corporation, resolves a compliance review of the Mandalay Bay Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nev. The second settlement agreement, with Circus Circus Mississippi Inc., settles a complaint against the Gold Strike Casino Resort in Tunica, Miss. Under the settlement agreements, each casino resort has agreed to ensure that its facility complies with the new construction standards of the ADA.

“Access to public accommodations is critical to ensuring that individuals with disabilities can enjoy the full range of experiences available to all Americans,” said Wan J. Kim, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “We commend Mandalay Corporation and Circus Circus Mississippi Inc. for their commitment to bring their facilities into full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and appreciate their cooperation during our investigation and settlement negotiations. These settlement agreements will ensure equal access for people with disabilities who want to participate in the entertainment and activities offered at these facilities.”

Title III of the ADA applies to private entities such as hotels and casinos and, among other things, requires that such entities build their facilities so that they are accessible to persons with disabilities in compliance with the ADA Standards for Accessible Design and ensure that they do not discriminate against guests on the basis of disability.

Under the settlement agreements reached today, the companies—both subsidiaries of MGM Mirage—will make the following changes:

*disperse accessible guest rooms throughout the classes of sleeping accommodations at the hotels and make the rooms fully accessible

*ensure that guest rooms for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing provide visual alarms that are attached to the building’s emergency alarm system

*widen doorways in guestrooms not designated as accessible to 32 inches

*ensure that reservations can be made for accessible rooms over the Internet

*add accessible seats and assistive listening devices to theaters and assembly areas

*provide elevator access to all levels of the facilities and restaurants inside them

*add accessible tables and booths to restaurants

*lower counters or provide equivalent facilitation

*add accessible features to locker and dressing rooms

*add accessible parking spaces and correct signage for accessible spaces

The companies also will train their employees on ADA compliance, report their progress over the course of agreements, and pay $55,000 in civil penalties to the United States.

Today’s settlements are the result of an investigation conducted after the Justice Department received a complaint from an individual who, while staying in a designated accessible guest room at the Gold Strike, alleged that he fell in the shower because the shower controls were not correctly located within reach as required under the ADA.

People interested in finding out more about the ADA or these agreements can call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 1-800-514-0301 or 1-800-514-0383 (TTY), or access its ADA Web site at http://www.ada.gov.