New Canaan To Make 'Significant Changes' To Town Facilities To Comply With ADA: Feds

NEW CANAAN, CT — Court officials recently reached a settlement agreement with the town of New Canaan to resolve allegations that some of its facilities did not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, U.S. Attorney for Connecticut Vanessa Roberts Avery announced in a news release Tuesday.

According to Avery, the settlement agreement resolves a complaint filed by a person who claimed some of New Canaan's parks and sports facilities, as well as parts of the Town Hall campus, were inaccessible to people with mobility disabilities.

"Under federal law, municipalities must ensure that their programs, services, and activities are accessible to individuals with mobility disabilities," the release reads. "When municipalities alter or build new facilities, they must also make them accessible to persons with disabilities in accordance with the ADA Standards for Accessible Design."

Avery said New Canaan is currently in the process of making "significant improvements required by the settlement agreement" at Waveny Park, New Canaan High School, Mead Park and Town Hall.

Some changes required by the settlement include adding accessible seating, parking and routes to several sports fields and athletic facilities at New Canaan High School and Mead Park, as well as making numerous changes to the interior and exterior of Waveny House to make it more accessible, such as adding an elevator, Avery said.

The town will also create an accessible route from Vine Cottage to Town Hall, according to Avery.

Avery commended New Canaan town leaders for cooperating with the U.S. Attorney's Office to resolve the investigation.

"Individuals with disabilities should have equal access to their local park and be able to cheer on their children at a local high school game without worrying about inaccessible facilities," Avery said in a news release. "I am pleased that New Canaan has made this commitment to making its facilities more accessible to individuals with disabilities."

Any member of the public who wishes to file a complaint alleging that a public entity or place of public accommodation in Connecticut is not accessible to persons with disabilities may contact the Civil Rights Intake Specialist at the U.S. Attorney's Office at 203-696-3000.

Additional information about the ADA can be found at www.ada.gov, or by calling the Justice Department’s toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 and (833) 610-1264 (TTY).