Settling a lawsuit aimed at ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the legendary Katz's Deli in Manhattan has agreed to make accommodations for disabled patrons. The agreement follows allegations of accessibility issues at the Lower East Side institution, which has been serving up classic deli fare for generations. Edward Y. Kim, the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, filed the lawsuit and announced the consent decree, emphasizing the deli's obligation to provide equal dining opportunities for all.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Katz's Deli harbored a myriad of ADA violations ranging from its inaccessible main entrance to insufficient dining surfaces and non-compliant restrooms. Having undergone renovations in 2018 that failed to meet ADA standards, the deli's lapses are now slated for rectification. Acting U.S. Attorney Kim said, "The corrections and modifications agreed to by Katz's Deli will give individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to enjoy one of New York City's most popular restaurants, as is required by the ADA."
The settlement encompassed not only substantial changes to the physical layout, such as retrofitting entrances, dining areas, and restrooms, but it also prescribed service aspects, mandating staff assistance for disabled individuals using the restaurant's main entrance. These terms are integral to the restaurant's operation within the parameters of the law and reflect the culmination of the Manhattan Restaurants ADA Compliance Initiative that commenced in 2011.
The initiative had evaluated the ADA compliance of the 50 most frequented Manhattan restaurants, with Katz's Deli among the few that necessitated judicial intervention. In addition to the mandated alterations, the restaurant will pay a civil penalty to the U.S. totaling $20,000. Beyond financial recompense, Katz's customers with disabilities stand to experience a material improvement in their dining experience, speaking to the broader themes of inclusivity and equal access.
The U.S. Attorney's Office has been diligent in addressing such infringements of civil rights, extending the reach of justice to the realm of public accommodation. Those finding other venues noncompliant can file a complaint through the Civil Rights Complaint Form available on the Office's site. The present case against Katz's Deli was handled by the Office's Civil Rights Unit, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Farber.
