According to a civil rights complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Justice, Nantahala Weddings was violating the ADA by, among other things, charging a fee to transport individuals with mobility impairments up a non-accessible hill to the main wedding ceremony area and failing to offer accessible restrooms to guests. The property offers lodgings for rent and includes several buildings, outdoor pavilions, and open-air gathering areas separated by wooded areas and steep hills.  

Upon learning of the complaint, the Nantahala Weddings took prompt action to remedy certain architectural barriers on its own initiative. Thereafter, it fully cooperated with the investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and subsequently agreed to remedy its accessibility issues. The business has already begun implementing the terms of the settlement agreement.  

As part of the settlement, Nantahala Weddings will construct accessible lodging for guests to rent, which will include an accessible entryway, bathroom, and bedroom; build accessible exterior walkways connecting its facilities or, where specified, offer accessible transportation to guests with no surcharge; renovate single use bathrooms and other facilities for ADA compliance; and remedy various other architectural barriers to access.