Paralyzed man accuses Ohio hotel of discrimination

(AP) — An Ohio man paralyzed from the waist down is suing a hotel, accusing management of discrimination for refusing to give him a room because he can't control his bowels and soiled linens during a previous visit.

Shawn Pouliot (POOL'-yaht) says he sought a room at the Akron City Centre Hotel in December but was told by a desk clerk that he had been banned for life.

The 39-year-old Pouliot says his colostomy pouch broke while he slept at the hotel in August, but he bagged the dirty linens and left the hotel nearly $500 to defray the costs.

He filed a lawsuit Tuesday in federal court seeking unspecified financial damages under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

A person who answered the phone at the hotel Wednesday said no one would comment on the lawsuit and hung up.

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Information from: Akron Beacon Journal, http://www.ohio.com