DENVER (AP) - Hollister Co. would remodel entrances to dozens of its beach-house style stores across the country for better wheelchair access as part of a proposed settlement agreement.
A federal judge is expected to approve the settlement Thursday, marking the end of a court battle between the clothing store chain and the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, which accused it of discriminating against wheelchair users.
The organization argued in a class-action lawsuit that Hollister violated federal law by limiting wheelchair users to side entrances. The front entrances resemble porches with steps.
Hollister says in the proposed agreement that it has already converted storefronts or closed stores and will no longer build elevated entrances. The lawsuit pointed to 250 stores with raised porches.
No more than 126 stores would have such entrances by Jan. 31, 2016.
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