PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS

Anyone who provides goods and services to the general public is considered a public accommodation. It is against the law for a public accommodation to withhold or refuse to provide those goods or services; charge a different amount for the same goods or services; set different terms for obtaining those goods or services; discourage certain people from using them; or advertise or make statements that would make you feel unwelcome because of your race, color, creed, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, disability, marital status, and partnership status. Please note that there are limited exemptions from the provisions of this law based upon gender and age.

Some examples of public accommodations include stores, banks, medical or dental offices, government agencies, hair salons, health clubs, hospitals, hotels, libraries, theaters, restaurants, schools, and taxis.

Access to Public Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities

 Many people with disabilities may need a reasonable accommodation to safely and independently enter or use a public accommodation. The City Human Rights Law requires that providers make reasonable efforts to grant access and services to all customers. Reasonable accommodation may require structural change, such as constructing a ramp or providing accessible parking spaces, or it may require a change in policy, such as permitting service animals to accompany a disabled person into a restaurant.

Taxi Riders

If you are trying to flag down a taxi and the driver refuses to pick you up based your race, color, national origin, creed, gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, disability or age or you were treated differently than another person or passenger for any of the above reasons, you may file a complaint with the Commission on Human Rights and the Taxi and Limousine Commission. Be sure to note the cab’s medallion number, the driver’s name, license number, the date, location and time of the ride. Always ask for your receipt, as it helps support your complaint. To file a complaint with the Taxi and Limousine Commission, call 212-NYC-TAXI (692-8294), or write to: Consumer Relations, New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission, 40 Rector Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10006.

Shoppers

It is against the law to be denied access to a store or refused services based on your race, creed, color, national origin, gender (including gender identity), disability, sexual orientation, alienage or citizenship status, marital status, partnership status, or age unless your behavior is objectively suspicious.

A store may reserve the right to inspect your bags, check your bags at the door or closely observe your conduct inside the store in an effort to prevent shoplifting, although the same rules must apply to all customers.