HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced a civil settlement with Roll R Way, a skating center with three locations in York, Chambersburg, and Donora, to ensure equal access under Title III under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). According to U.S. Attorney Brian D. Miller, the U.S.
Attorney’s Office received several complaints that families with children with Type 1 Diabetes were refused entry into Roll R Way skating center. On separate occasions, each family wanted to enter with their child’s diabetes treatment supplies, which included a small amount of food and drink to regulate the child’s low blood sugar. Management of the skating center refused the families entry because of its “no outside food or drink” policy. The failure to accommodate prevented access to the business for these families and a policy without exception prevents other families with children with diabetes, food allergies, or other dietary restrictions from full and equal enjoyment of the goods and services of the skating center in violation of the ADA.
Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Roll R Way must revise its “no outside food or drink policy” to include a reasonable accommodation for those patrons with diabetes and dietary restrictions. Roll R Way will train their employees on the new accommodation policy and provide notice to the public to request an accommodation if needed. Roll R Way will also pay $500.00 to each complainant family. Title III of the ADA prohibits public accommodations, like family amusement centers, from excluding people with disabilities from enjoying goods, services, privileges, facilities, and advantages provided.
For more information regarding the Department of Justice’s efforts to combat discrimination, please visit ADA.gov. To learn more about the obligations of public accommodations under federal disability rights statutes, call the Department of Justice’s toll-free ADA information line at 800-514-0301, 800-514-0383 (TTY). Anyone in the Middle District of Pennsylvania may also report civil rights violation to the office’s Civil Rights Coordinator by calling 717-614-4911 or email usapam.civil.rights@usdoj.gov.The settlement agreement was reached to avoid the costs and burdens of litigation and does not represent an admission of liability by Roll R Way. Assistant U.S.
Attorney Michael J. Butler represented the government during the investigation and settlement.