The United States Attorney’s Office announced Monday that 27 hotels across southern California, including the Super 8 located in Santa Clarita,  have signed agreements stating their intent to improve accessibility for people with disabilities or come into compliance with current ADA standards.

This comes as a response to a number of federal investigations that brought issues to light, prompting these 27 hotels to sign agreements stating what they will do to improve conditions.

“It is unfair and illegal for private entities that own or operate public accommodations such as hotels to discriminate against people with disabilities,” said Acting United States Attorney Tracy L. Wilkison. “I commend the hotels in this district that have demonstrated their commitment to ensuring full access for persons with disabilities by cooperating in our investigations and by agreeing to comply with the ADA.”

After federal investigations into the hotels revealed non-compliance with various provisions of the ADA pertaining to “public accommodations,” the various hotels agreed to remedy the violations, with some agreeing to stop the illegal practice of charging more for accessible rooms – a “disability tax” of up to $25 when compared to similar non-accessible rooms.

The negotiations for these agreements began in April of 2020, and were finalized over this one-year period, concluding the final agreement on the 29th of March, 2021.

Issues addressed included violations to the ADA guidelines and in some cases, the illegal practice of charging more money for accessible rooms.

Some of the new or improved accommodations include adding more accessible rooms, improving avenues of communication for those with disabilities, including online services and ensuring that booking websites have enough information regarding options for accessible rooms.

Ten entities have signed letters of resolution and agreed to come into compliance with the ADA, including the Super 8 located in Santa Clarita, according to an official Department of Justice statement Monday.

For more information on the ADA, or to file a complaint, please call the ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TDD), or visit the ADA website.

KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.