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A Father’s Day Fiasco: Wheelchair Discrimination at a Restaurant

The Incident

Yesterday, my parents and I went to a restaurant to celebrate Father’s Day. My mother, who has a small manual wheelchair due to a defect she was born with, is unable to walk. We arrived a few minutes before our reservation time and waited for 10 minutes before being informed that the restaurant would not allow wheelchairs in the dining room. The reason given was that the wheelchair would be "in the way." We were told that if we wanted to eat there, we would have to remove my mom from her wheelchair and then they would have to place her wheelchair in another room "out of the way." This came as a shock, as the restaurant’s website clearly states that it is wheelchair accessible.

The Chain of Events

This incident was particularly egregious because it occurred at a large and fairly expensive restaurant chain. My mom’s disability is not something to be taken lightly, and the fact that the restaurant was unwilling to accommodate her basic needs was unacceptable. After informing the restaurant that we would be leaving due to their discriminatory treatment, we made our way to a different restaurant that welcomed us with open arms.

Legal Questions and Concerns

The situation raises several legal questions and concerns. Firstly, is it against the law to refuse service to individuals with disabilities who require wheelchair access? In the United States, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that all public entities, including restaurants, provide equal access to individuals with disabilities. The ADA requires that restaurants provide accessible seating, restrooms, and paths of travel, as well as other essential facilities and services.

Secondly, how should I go about addressing this situation? Should I escalate the issue with the restaurant or simply write negative reviews?

How AI Legalese Decoder Can Help

AI Legalese Decoder is a valuable tool that can help you navigate this complex legal situation. This AI-powered software can help you:

  1. Identify relevant laws and regulations: AI Legalese Decoder can quickly identify the relevant laws and regulations related to disability discrimination, such as the ADA.
  2. Analyze the situation: The AI-powered software can analyze the facts of the case, including the restaurant’s website claims, to determine whether the restaurant has violated any laws.
  3. Provide legal guidance: AI Legalese Decoder can provide legal guidance on how to proceed, including options for escalating the issue and seeking legal action if necessary.
  4. Assist with drafting complaints or legal documents: The software can help you draft complaints or legal documents, including demand letters and legal pleadings, if you decide to pursue legal action.

By using AI Legalese Decoder, you can gain a better understanding of the legal issues involved and make informed decisions about how to address the situation.

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11 Comments

  • naranghim

    You have two options you can escalate it within the restaurant and chat with the GM or work your way up the chain of leadership or you can file a complaint here:

    [File a Complaint | ADA.gov](https://www.ada.gov/file-a-complaint/)

  • tamquam_earum_2233

    That’s a clear ADA violation. File a complaint with the DOJ’s ADA division.

  • YesterShill

    Holy crap, I can’t believe any general manager would have such a poorly trained staff on ADA requirements.

    If the chain has a Facebook presence, post your experience on their page (if they allow direct posting) or reply to one of their posts with your experience. I guarantee you will be contacted within 24 hours.

  • dimsum2121

    Name the restaurant. It’s a public service to do so.

  • gettingspicyarewe

    Yes. Report, report, report.

  • scarlettohara1936

    Fogo de Chao is a great restaurant and well known brand! I have a feeling that whoever told you that was on some sort of power trip and the corporate offices will be horrified on your behalf and make it better.

  • blondeambition39

    Get on twitter or wherever they have a big presence and BLAST them for this! Trust me, you’ll get results fast!

  • IdeoPolitik

    https://www.webstaurantstore.com/article/152/ada-compliance-for-restaurants.html helpful link that explains ADA standards for compliance at restaurants

  • saintsfan214

    The ADA may hurt the company but talk to a lawyer about this to see if you’re covered by the ADA.

  • traversecity

    Op, sure sounds like a technical violation.

    My two cents, wheelchairing my father in law around for a few years, he simply loved going to restaurants.

    It was always a mixed result, sometimes the wheels at the table, sometimes it was obviously impracticable. Now he was an old fellow, WWII at a young age. Stubborn, opinionated. A waiter or waitress doing their obvious best to accommodate, regardless of the outcome, big tip.

    Did he ever once complain, no, never, unless the meal was not well prepared. Were I to complain on his behalf, it’s hard to say what his reaction would have been, most likely I’d have been on the bad end of it.

    My point? Talk to her about it! Don’t charge into a legal consult unless she feels it necessary, if she does, certainly she will appreciate the effort. If she does not, you’ll be the bad person.

  • camlaw63

    Tweet the incident to them