The U.S. Attorney’s Office will conduct a compliance review of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to evaluate accessibility for the disabled, U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery announced Tuesday.
The investigation was launched after 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 at NRG Park where the three-week event is held.
Rodeo officials said Tuesday they were not aware of specific complaints but said they would work with NRG Park, the event's facility, to make adjustments if they were needed.
"The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a family-friendly event, and we are committed to providing an open and accessible event for everyone," officials said in a statement. "We look forward to working with the U.S. Department of Justice and have expressed our willingness to cooperate."
Under the ADA, private places of public accommodation are not allowed to discriminate against individuals with disabilities.
No other details were given about the investigation or when the compliance review will be done.
Rodeo officials pointed to activities for guests with special needs, including an event known as "Sensory Friendly Day" on March 4.
RodeoHouston includes information about parking for visitors with disabilities on its website.
"A limited number of ADA parking, including van accessible parking, are available in the Blue and Yellow lots for $20 per day. These spaces are sold on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to availability. Present valid state issued handicap placard or vehicle registration for access," the website says.
It's not clear how many spaces are available.
Lisa Jones, an animal control officer in Houston, says she understands why others filed complaints.
“When I saw that this morning, I thought yes! I know exactly what that’s like. Struggling to get around.”
Jones has rheumatoid arthritis and osteonecrosis. She says after getting very ill and needing powerful medications, including chemotherapy, her bones are dying, and it can be incredibly painful to walk. However, she’s always loved the Rodeo.
“We had to use the wheelchair the year before,” Jones said remembering her experience in 2017. “My husband pushed me but because they have all of the electric cords everywhere he was struggling to get me up and down. So, that forced me, the next year, to go with just my cane.”
However, in 2018, after a concert, Jones says she was forced to exit her handicapped accessible seats to an outside area at the opposite side of the shuttle she needed. Jones says she spoke to a manager and asked several people for help but had to walk most of the way back, in excruciating pain.
She says eventually, as she sat on the ground crying, her husband was able to convince an employee on a golf cart to give them a ride, but they were already nearly at the shuttle.
“I cried,” Jones remembered. “I said I wouldn’t go back. And I haven’t been back since then, honestly, because it was so bad.”
There are plenty of people who have commented on this story on KHOU’s social media pages saying they’ve never experienced a problem. That’s the experience that Jones hopes to enjoy too.
“I love the rodeo and I want to go back… but that hurt me so bad that it really makes me afraid,” she said.
RodeoHouston kicked off Monday and continues through Sunday, March 20.
Since its beginning in 1932, the HLSR has committed more than $550 million to Texas youth and education, including $27 million to scholarships for Texas students, according to its website. It's one of the largest scholarship providers in the country.
In 2019, the last year RodeoHouston was held in full, it generated a total economic impact of $227 million in Greater Houston, according to its website. Over 2.5 million people attended the Rodeo in 2019.