Marriott International has resolved a discrimination suit by agreeing to provide accessible "single rider" golf carts for disabled golfers at its golf courses in the U.S.

The hotel chain negotiated the terms of a permanent injunction after a San Francisco judge in January found that "the provision of accessible golf cart(s) at Marriott’s courses is both reasonable and necessary to accommodate the plaintiffs’ disabilities in this case." Three disabled golfers had sued Marriott under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Media reports on the case said accessible carts can cost several thousand dollars more than conventional carts. But Marriott conceded during the litigation that the financial cost of providing the accessible carts was "minimal."

Single rider carts are specifically designed to allow disabled golfers to hit the golf ball while seated on a rotating swivel seat.

5/20/08