Wednesday, July 29th 2015
The Justice Department has signed a settlement agreement with Carnival Corp., to improve access to cruise ships in the Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line and Princess Cruises brands, and implements accessibility standards and policies to provide greater access on cruises that embark and disembark from U.S. waters or those of its territories. The settlement resolves allegations that Carnival violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to properly provide and reserve accessible cabins for individual with disabilities, reasonably modify policies, practices and procedures to accommodate individuals with disabilities, afford individuals with disabilities the same opportunities to participate in programs and services, including embarkation and disembarkation; and provide effective communication during muster and emergency drills. Under the agreement, Carnival will provide three percent accessible cabins on 49 ships according to three levels of accessibility: fully accessible, fully accessible-single-side approach to the bed, and ambulatory accessible cabins, implement brand standards that address an array of policies and procedures, and pay $55,000 in civil penalties, and $350,000 in damages.
To find out more about this settlement agreement or the ADA,
visit ADA.gov or call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TTY).
Article Credit: U.S. Department of Justice