Tennessee ADAPT

5/10/2001

Gary Vanasek
(901) 423-4603

ADAPT Activist Settles Pro Se Complaint with 54 Restaurants

(MEMPHIS)(MEMPHIS) Jason Perkins, without an attorney, took Wendy's to court for being inaccessible to him in 1999. This month the United States Department of Justice announced a settlement with Valenti Mid-South Management, LLC, the owner of 54 Wendy's restaurants in western Tennessee, northern Mississippi, eastern Arkansas, and southeastern Missouri started by Mr. Perkins' pro se Complaint.

The United States Attorney's Office intervened in the case working with the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice and the Donati Law Firm to reach the settlement. The Consent Decree requires a $25,000 payment to Mr. Perkins in thirty days and delineates over 650 changes to individual stores including accessible entrances, signage, and restrooms.

"I thought the large chain-restaurants definitely would comply with the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act," said Jason Perkins. "I don't want anyone else to think that a store is accessible just because it is a nationally recognized franchise."

Mr. Perkins filed a pro se complaint in December of 1999 alleging discrimination under the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA prohibits businesses from denying people with disabilities equal access to goods and services.

"The management of Valenti Mid-South Management LLC (Wendy's), has worked cooperatively with government attorneys throughout the negotiations," said Larry Laurenzi, the United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, "and [they have] actually began work on some modifications before reaching a full agreement…"