An agreement has been reached under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) between the Hilton Garden Inn Austin University Capitol District hotel and the US Justice Department to resolve alleged violations of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The ADA requires that hotels provide access to individuals with disabilities, including honouring reservations, providing fully accessible rooms and making accommodations.

The agreement requires the Hilton Garden Inn Austin University Capitol District to train its staff and provide equal service to customers with disabilities.

The Department of Justice received an ADA complaint alleging that after reserving an accessible room, when an individual with a disability attempted to check in, the Hilton Garden Inn provided a standard room that lacked bathroom grab bars or shower. This left the complainant without a usable bathroom during her stay.

The complaint prompted an investigation by the US Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas.

US Attorney for the Western District of Texas Jaime Esparza commented: “For people with disabilities, travel can be stressful due to concerns that they won’t have basic accommodations, such as a place to sleep at night or access to appropriate hygiene facilities. People with disabilities should not be denied these necessities in lodging.”

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.