Settlement Reached with Nail Salon for Violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act

GREENSBORO - The U.S. Attorney's Office has reached a settlement with a Raeford, North Carolina nail salon to resolve allegations that the salon violated the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA") by refusing to provide pedicure services to a customer unless she transferred from her wheelchair to a pedicure chair, announced U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Hairston.

Pursuant to the settlement, Modern Nails agreed to adopt and conspicuously post a non-discrimination policy, to ensure that its staff understand the policy, and to pay $500 to the complainant in this case.

The Department of Justice's enforcement efforts under the ADA seek equal opportunity and dignity in all aspects of life, including access to public accommodations such as nail salons. This settlement agreement is the eighth agreement that the Department of Justice has reached with a nail salon through its U.S. Attorney Program for ADA Enforcement, and the second in the Middle District of North Carolina.

• In June 2021, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of North Carolina entered a settlement agreement resolving an allegation that a nail salon in Durham, North Carolina, refused to provide services to an individual with HIV.
• In June 2022, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana reached a settlement agreement with a nail salon in Harahan, Louisiana, to resolve an allegation that an individual was refused services because of the inability to transfer out of their wheelchair.
• In February 2023, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey entered a settlement agreement with a nail salon in Ocean County, New Jersey, to resolve allegations that the salon discriminates against individuals with mobility impairments.
• In June 2023, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona reached a settlement agreement with a nail salon in San Tan Valley, Arizona, to resolve allegations that the nail salon discriminated against a customer with paraplegia because she uses a wheelchair and does not have complete hand function.
• In October 2023, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Kansas entered a settlement agreement with a nail salon in Kansas City, Kansas, to resolve allegations that the salon refused nail services to a woman with cerebral palsy who used a motorized wheelchair.
• In February 2024, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of New York reached a settlement agreement with a nail salon in Williamsville, New York, to resolve allegations that the salon refused to allow a customer with a service animal enter the salon.
• In March 2024, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona reached a settlement agreement with a nail salon in Chandler, Arizona to resolve allegations that the salon refused equal services to those using a wheelchair.

Additional information about the ADA, including information on how to file a complaint, can be found at www.ada.gov.

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