Stephany’s Chocolates Discriminates Against People with Disabilities CCDC Media Release
Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition
655 Broadway, Suite 775, Denver, Colorado 80203
(303) 839-1775 Voice kwilliams@ccdconline.org
(303) 839-0015 TTY clucas@ccdconline.org
(303) 839-1782 Fax www.cccdconline.org
Julie Reiskin, MSW, LCSW, Executive Director
Kevin Williams, Esq., Legal Program Director
Carrie Ann Lucas, Esq., Equal Justice Works Fellow
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Kevin Williams, Esq. 303.809.6706
Carrie Lucas, Esq. 303.839.0015
David Burgess 303.830.8805
Stephany’s Chocolates Discriminates Against People with Disabilities
Stephany’s Chocolates refuses to allow people with disabilities to take their free tour
DENVER – January 23, 2006 -- Two Denver disability rights organizations filed suit today
against Stephany’s Chocolates because Stephany’s Chocolates refuses to allow adults who happen
to be disabled to participate on a public tour of their candy factory unless accompanied one-on-one
by a caregiver. In addition they flat-out refuse to allow anyone who uses a wheelchair, walker or
cane to tour the candy factory.
CHARG, a mental illness advocacy center whose members participate in a variety of
recreational outings, attempted to take a tour of Stephany’s Chocolates candy factory. When they
called to confirm the tour, CHARG was informed that each disabled person must be accompanied
by a non-disabled person. Having taken the tour in the past without this restriction, and without
incident, CHARG decided to go forward with the tour. Upon their arrival, a Stephany’s
Chocolates employee quickly locked the door leading to the factory tour, and forced the CHARG
members to sit in an office to watch a brief video about Stephany’s Chocolates.
Upon investigation, the Colorado Cross-Disability Organization (CCDC) learned that
Stephany’s Chocolates not only requires each person with a disability to be accompanied by a nondisabled
person, but they refuse to allow any individuals who use wheelchairs, walkers or canes to
take the tour at all.
“It is unconscionable that more than fifteen years after the ADA was passed, businesses
like Stephany’s Chocolates blatantly discriminate against people with disabilities,” said David
Burgess, the CHARG Executive Director.
“Stephany’s Chocolate’s actions are outrageous!” said Julie Reiskin, CCDC Executive
Director. “This paternalistic attitude that we need a nondisabled adult to accompany us at all times is insulting, discriminatory, and exactly why the ADA was passed to begin with,” she continued.
The Stephany’s Chocolate ban on wheelchair, walkers, and canes means every single person with a physical disability, including people are blind, are prohibited from touring their
candy factory. Every other person with a disability who does not use mobility equipment are also discriminated against because they are only allowed to attend if they are accompanied, one-on-one by a non-disabled person.
CCDC’s mission is to promote independence, self-reliance, and full participation for people with all types of disabilities. CCDC is Colorado’s largest statewide cross-disability
organization. http://www.ccdconline.org
CHARG (Capitol Hill Action and Recreation Group) seeks to provide resources and services not otherwise adequately available to persons with mental illness, to empower consumers and provide advocacy throughout the Denver metropolitan area. http://www.charg.org/.
A copy of the complaint can be found at www.ccdclegal.org/stephany’s_chocolates.htm.
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