Lowe's agrees to improve access at Maine stores as part of settlement over ADA compliance
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The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine has reached a settlement agreement with Lowe’s Cos. Inc. to resolve allegations that the retailer did not provide compliant access for customers with disabilities at many of its Maine stores.
Lowe’s Cos. Inc., a nationwide home improvement retailer with 11 stores in Maine, has agreed to improve accessibility for customers with mobility impairments as part of a settlement with federal prosecutors.
The agreement resolves allegations that the company did not provide compliant access for customers with disabilities at several locations in the state, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine.
In Maine, Lowe’s has stores in Auburn, Augusta, Bangor, Brewer, Brunswick, Portland, Presque Isle, Sanford, Scarborough, Thomaston and Windham.
The case stemmed from a complaint brought by a mobility-impaired customer who alleged that a Lowe’s store in Brewer did not provide accessible parking close enough to the entrance.
Following an investigation, prosecutors contended that several Lowe’s locations in Maine, including Brewer, Brunswick, Portland and Windham, failed to do the same, violating a provision of the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibiting discrimination.
Lowe's (NYSE: LOW), which is based in Mooresville, N.C., operates 1,747 stores nationwide.
Under the settlement agreement, Lowe’s will provide accessible parking spaces located on the shortest accessible route to the main customer entrance as well as near all accessible entrances, ensure that accessible parking spots are operational and clear of obstructions, and provide improved and proper signage.
Lowe’s also agreed to designate at least one employee to serve as ADA compliance manager and to pay $5,000 to the individual who brought the complaint. The U.S. Attorney’s Office noted that Lowe’s cooperated fully during the investigation.
“No one living with a disability should be unlawfully denied safe and unencumbered access to a retail location,” said U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee. “Ensuring that commercial retail locations do not discriminate against persons with disabilities is a priority for the Department of Justice and for my office.
Looking at the bigger picture, he added that the remedial measures agreed to by Lowe’s will have a nationwide impact "and and give individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to shop, as required by the ADA.
"I hope that other retailers will proactively comply with this important civil rights law," he said.
In addition to the store improvements in Maine, Lowe’s promised to provide Department of Justice with a plan on surveying the remainder of its locations nationwide for compliance regarding ADA accessible parking. It pledged to submit the plan within six months.
A spokesperson for Lowe’s did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
Last month, the company posted better than expected third-quarter results driven in part by strong online sales and smaller-ticket outdoor do-it-yourself (DIY) projects.
CEO Marvin R. Ellison is scheduled to given an update on the company's new growth and productivity initiatives at an analyst and investor conference next week.
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