FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: (202) 514-2007 [Voice]; (202) 514-1888 [TDD]
http://www.usdoj.gov

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES SETTLEMENT WITH SUNOCO, INC. AND ITS OPTIMA GASOLINE STATIONS AND CONVENIENCE STORES

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Justice Department announced that it has reached a settlement agreement with Sunoco, Inc., that will ensure access for people with disabilities to its Optima gas stations and convenience stores. Sunoco currently operates approximately 28 Optima stations - under the brand names "Optima Fuel Center" and "Optima Quick Mart" (the Optima stores) - on Wal-Mart property in New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts.

"Stopping at a convenience store and buying gas are everyday errands that must be accessible to all Americans. The Justice Department is committed to promoting increased access to these activities for people with disabilities," said Wan J. Kim, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. "I commend Sunoco for working with us to open up more opportunities for people with disabilities to fully participate in community life."

The agreement resolves a compliance review that began when the Department examined selected prototype plans and found violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act's (ADA) accessibility standards for design and construction. Without admitting liability, Sunoco has agreed voluntarily to make modifications to its facilities, as needed-including parking, gasoline pumps, curb ramps, convenience store entrances, and access to items for sale within the convenience stores-to bring them into compliance with the standards.

Specifically, during the three year agreement, Sunoco will provide the required number of accessible parking spaces near an accessible entrance; designate one island and fuel dispenser to meet ADA requirements, and offer refueling assistance at any pump upon request; provide accessible, convenient store entrances and exterior transaction drawers; and make convenience store public restrooms accessible. Sunoco also agreed to build future stores in compliance with the standards.

Title III of the ADA requires, among other things, that newly constructed and altered places of public accommodation-including most private businesses-meet the Department of Justice's accessibility standards. To find out more about the ADA, call the Justice Department's toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 (TDD), or access the ADA homepage at www.ada.gov.

Through the President's New Freedom Initiative-a comprehensive program to promote the full participation of people with disabilities in all areas of society-the Civil Rights Division is committed to providing greater access for Americans with disabilities.

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