HOUSTON – The U.S. Attorney’s Office will conduct a compliance review of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) to evaluate accessibility for disabled individuals planning to attend the event, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
The investigation stems from complaints the HLSR violated the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). The allegations include failing to provide accessible parking, accessible seating and accessible routes. The review will be conducted under Title III of the ADA which prohibits private places of public accommodation to discriminate against individuals with disabilities.
Since its beginning in 1932, the HLSR’s website claims it has committed more than $550 million to Texas youth and education, including $27 million to scholarships, junior show exhibitors, educational program grants and graduate assistantships. It further claims to be one of the largest scholarship providers in the country.
The HLSR also reports that in 2019, it generated a total economic impact of $227 million and total economic activity of $391 million in Greater Houston. Over 2.5 million people attended the Houston Rodeo in 2019.
This year, the HLSR will run from Feb. 28-March 20.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas is committed to vigorously enforcing the ADA and welcomes public comments or complaints. To file a comment or complaint, or to learn more about the ADA, individuals can contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas at (713) 567-9140 or via email.
Additional information is available at Civil Rights Division for the Southern District of Texas.
Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Elizabeth Karpati and Executive AUSA Keith Wyatt are handling the matter.