Today the Justice Department reached a settlement agreement with Atlantis Events, Inc., (Atlantis), a cruise and resort vacation company with offices in West Hollywood, California, to ensure that individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing are provided effective communication when travelling with the company.

The settlement agreement resolves complaints under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in which individuals who are deaf alleged that Atlantis failed to provide them with effective communication on a cruise.  Atlantis cooperated with the Department throughout the investigation.

Under the agreement, Atlantis will ensure that interpreters, transcription services, written exchanges, assistive listening devices, captioning, or other auxiliary aids and services are provided to individuals with hearing disabilities free of charge when necessary for effective communication, and it will designate an ADA liaison on all of its cruises to respond to disability-related requests from passengers.  In addition, Atlantis will pay a civil penalty of $10,000 to the United States and $9,000 in damages to the complainants.

“The ADA guarantees people with disabilities equal access to public accommodations, including communications access,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore of the Civil Rights Division.  “People with disabilities who are deaf or hard of hearing must be given the opportunity to fully participate on cruises and at resorts, and enjoy the services and activities a vacation company offers.”

“Individuals with disabilities, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing, have a right under federal law to the equal enjoyment of the services that travel companies provide to the public,” said U.S. Attorney Nicola T. Hanna for the Central District of California.  “Atlantis is to be complimented for acknowledging its obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and agreeing to implement policies and practices to ensure equal access and effective communication.”

People interested in finding out more about the ADA or this settlement agreement can call the toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TDD), or access the ADA website at http://www.ada.gov.

Attachment(s): Download Atlantis Settlement Agreement

Component(s): Civil Rights DivisionCivil Rights – Disability Rights Section

Press Release Number: 18-207Updated February 20, 2018

Justice Department / 18-207 / February 20, 2018