Working cooperatively and in the spirit of providing unfettered access to Giant's stores, representatives of Giant and the DRC quickly reached a Memorandum of Understanding that provides the framework for the Settlement Agreement announced today. The Disability Rights Council approached us last year to point out a number of improvements that were needed within our stores. We are grateful that they did so and welcome their continuing advice and guidance. It is our goal to make sure that all individuals with disabilities have full access to shop at our stores. We are pleased to work with the Disability Rights Council to achieve this goal.
Few things are more important than being able to get into the neighborhood grocery store.
Giant's commitment to ensure that it complies with the ADA by providing equal access to persons with disabilities will go far in achieving the objectives of this landmark civil rights law. The DRC welcomes Giant's support of the DRC's mission of eliminating discrimination against all persons with disabilities. No lawsuit was filed by the DRC against Giant, and in the Settlement Agreement the DRC releases any claims it may have against Giant. The DRC is a non-profit membership organization established in 1992 whose members are persons with disabilities and others who are interested in equal rights, equal access and equal opportunity for persons with disabilities. Four years ago, the DRC entered into a settlement agreement with Safeway Inc., the national grocery chain, under which Safeway agreed to make structural modifications to its stores in D.C. and to undertake a compliance program that included a comprehensive ADA accessibility survey of all its stores across the country.