WASHINGTON, June 9 (UPI) -- Regal Entertainment Group, the largest U.S. theater chain, has agreed to improve the view for wheelchair-bound movie fans.
The Justice Department sued, claiming that Regal violated the Americans With Disabilities Act by placing wheelchair areas too close to the screen.
In a settlement announced Wednesday, Regal agreed to place wheelchair seating in the middle of the theater at new facilities, the Hollywood Reporter said.
The company will also move wheelchair areas back in 1,000 theaters with stadium-style seating and do the same in other theaters if it can be done without major reconstruction.
"Opening everyday activities like a night at a movie theater to persons with disabilities is a core goal of the Americans With Disabilities Act," said R. Alexander Acosta, assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division.
"Today's agreement is another step toward making the ADA's promise a reality for thousands of Americans," he said.
