Owner of Betty Ford Center reaches settlement with DOJ

The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation finalized a settlement agreement today in which it agreed to remove architectural barriers to access at the Betty Ford Center, a well-known drug and alcohol treatment facility it owns and operates in Rancho Mirage, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced.

The settlement agreement resolves allegations that the Betty Ford Center violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination by places of public accommodation against individuals with disabilities.

Hazelden, a Center City, Minnesota-based addiction treatment and advocacy organization, fully cooperated with the government’s investigation, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

“People should never be deterred or impeded from seeking treatment for drug or alcohol addiction because of a physical disability,” said U.S. Attorney Nick Hanna. “Our office will enforce the rights of individuals with disabilities to access healthcare without barriers. We commend Hazelden for taking steps to comply with the ADA to ensure that the Betty Ford Center is accessible to all.”

Under the settlement agreement, Hazelden must remove existing barriers to access throughout the Betty Ford Center, including in-patient rooms, restrooms and common areas; ensure that any new buildings constructed on the Betty Ford Center campus are accessible; relocate equipment and furniture where necessary to provide equal access to facilities; and modify practices, policies and procedures to ensure that people with disabilities have full and equal access to all of the services offered by the center, federal prosecutors said.