Enforcing the ADA
A Status Report from the Department of Justice
(July-September 1997)

     This Status Report covers the ADA activities of the
Department of Justice during the third quarter (July-September)
of 1997.  This report, previous status reports, and a wide range
of other ADA information are available through the Department's
ADA Home Page on the World Wide Web (see page 22).  The symbol
(**) indicates that the document is available on the ADA Home
Page. 

INSIDE...
ADA Litigation
Formal Settlement Agreements
Other Settlements
Mediation
Certification
Technical Assistance
Other Sources of ADA Information
How to File Complaints

1997, Issue 3

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a comprehensive
civil rights law for people with disabilities. The Department of
Justice enforces the ADA's requirements in three areas -
Title I:  Employment practices by units of State and local
government

Title II:  Programs, services, and activities of State and local
government

Title III:  Public accommodations and commercial facilities

I. Enforcement

     Through lawsuits and both formal and informal settlement
agreements, the Department has achieved greater access for
individuals with disabilities in hundreds of cases.  Under
general rules governing lawsuits brought by the Federal
Government, the Department of Justice may not file a lawsuit
unless it has first unsuccessfully attempted to settle the
dispute through negotiations. 

     A.   Litigation

     The Department may file lawsuits in Federal court to enforce
the ADA and may obtain court orders including compensatory
damages and back pay to remedy discrimination.  Under title III
the Department may also obtain civil penalties of up to $50,000
for the first violation and $100,000 for any subsequent
violation.

          1.  Decisions  

Arena Architects Liable for Failure to Provide Line of Sight over
Standing Spectators -- A Federal district court judge in
Minnesota ruled in favor of the Department of Justice in a suit
to establish the liability of architects for violations of the
ADA's new construction standards.  In United States v. Ellerbe
Becket, the Department asserts that Ellerbe Becket, one of the
nation's largest architectural firms, has violated title III by
failing to design and construct new sports arenas in compliance
with the ADA Standards for Accessible Design.  In denying the
defendant's motion to dismiss, the court found that architects
may be held liable for new construction violations and that the
ADA requires newly constructed arenas to provide wheelchair
seating locations with a line of sight over standing spectators.

Courts Find ADA Suits Against States Constitutional -- In Clark
v. California, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
ruled that Congress has constitutional authority to subject
States to lawsuits under title II of the ADA.  The Department of
Justice intervened in this case to defend the constitutionality
of the ADA. The court held that Congress had the power to
abrogate the State's sovereign immunity under its authority to
enforce the equal protection rights of the Fourteenth Amendment. 
The suit was brought by a group of prisoners with developmental
disabilities who allege that California prison officials
discriminated against them on the basis of disability. 
Similarly, in Autio v. AFSCME, in which the Department also
intervened, the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
ruled that Congress has Fourteenth Amendment authority to make
States answer to employment discrimination lawsuits under title I
of the ADA.

Appeals Courts Disagree on Whether Prisons are Covered by Title
II -- The Courts of Appeals have issued contrary rulings in two
cases in which the Department filed amicus briefs arguing that
title II covers all of the activities of State and local
government, including prisons.  The Ninth Circuit in Armstrong v.
Wilson upheld prison coverage in a suit against the State of
California.  The court explained that its decision was based on
the plain meaning of the statute and the fact that "nothing in
the legislative history of the ... ADA reflects an intent by
Congress to exclude prisons or prisoners...." The Fourth Circuit
in Amos v. Maryland Department of Public Services, however, ruled
that prisons are not covered by title II because they are a core
State function and Congress failed to indicate specifically its
intent to cover them.

D.C. 9-1-1 Ordered to Provide Direct Access to TDD Users -- In a
title II lawsuit joined by the Department of Justice, a Federal
judge in the District of Columbia issued a temporary order
requiring the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department to take
immediate steps to provide direct, effective access for TDD users
to its 9-1-1 system.  The order required the police department to
install a back-up TDD system and make policy changes to ensure
proper training and disciplining of employees involved in
responding to TDD calls.  An earlier court-ordered audit by the
Department of Justice showed that the D.C. 9-1-1 system was
incapable of reliably responding to TDD calls.  The litigation is
continuing with the issues of liability and permanent relief,
including damages, still to be resolved.

Justice Continues Nationwide Effort to Defend the
Constitutionality of ADA Lawsuits against States -- The
Department has intervened in a growing number of suits under both
titles I and II of the ADA where States are arguing that the
ADA's waiver of State sovereign immunity is unconstitutional.  In
general, the States are arguing that, because the ADA's
protections go beyond equal protection rights guaranteed by the
U.S. Constitution, Congress lacks authority under the Fourteenth
Amendment to subject States to lawsuits under the ADA.  The
Department has intervened in each of the following cases to argue
that the ADA is constitutionally appropriate legislation to
remedy the history of pervasive discrimination against people
with disabilities and that therefore the ADA's abrogation of
State immunity is constitutional --
Courts of Appeals
*  Nelson v. Miller (6th Circuit) -- title II challenge to
alleged lack of privacy in Michigan voting procedures for blind
voters
*  Pierce v. King (4th Circuit) -- title II suit against North
Carolina prison officials
*  Wright v. Lima Correctional Institution (6th Circuit) -- title
I reasonable accommodation suit against an Ohio prison
*  Dickson v. Florida Department of Corrections (11th Circuit) --
title I reasonable accommodation suit

District Court
*  Anderson v. Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (Eastern
District of Pennsylvania) --title II suit alleging failure to
ensure accessibility of health care providers participating in
Medicaid program
          
          2.  New lawsuits

     The Department initiated or intervened in the following
lawsuits.

U.S. v. Town of Tatum, New Mexico -- The Department filed its
first lawsuit alleging a violation of the ADA's retaliation
provisions.  The suit claims that Tatum, New Mexico, discharged
Marvin R. Lyon from his job as emergency medical technician in
retaliation for his obtaining a settlement in an earlier ADA
lawsuit he filed against Tatum.   In that earlier suit, Mr. Lyon
alleged that Tatum violated the ADA when it fired him from his
previous position as a police officer. After he received a
monetary award as part of settling that lawsuit, officials acting
on behalf of Tatum allegedly began to retaliate against Mr. Lyon
because of their displeasure with the settlement and terminated
him from his emergency medical technician position.

          3.  Consent Decrees

     Some litigation is resolved at the time the suit is filed or
afterwards by means of a negotiated consent decree.  Consent
decrees are monitored and enforced by the Federal court in which
they are entered.

United States v. City of Pontiac -- The Department of Justice
entered into a consent decree resolving its lawsuit against
Pontiac, Michigan, which alleged that the city had violated title
I by refusing to hire Dennis Henderson as a fire fighter because
of his monocular vision.  Despite his condition, Mr. Henderson
had performed successfully as a fire fighter for 14 years with a
neighboring jurisdiction before applying to Pontiac for a
position.  Pontiac relied on hiring standards established by the
National Fire Protection Association that disqualify individuals
with monocular vision.  Under the consent decree, Pontiac agreed
to hire Henderson into a full-time fire fighter position with
retroactive benefits and seniority to August 11, 1992.  Pontiac
also agreed to provide a financial package to Henderson of
approximately $105,000.00, including full back pay and
compensatory damages in the amount of $65,000.00 and full
retroactive pension benefits totaling approximately $40,000.00. 
Pontiac agreed that in the future it would not apply standards
that require automatic exclusions of applicants or employees
because of physical or medical conditions. Instead, it will
conduct an individual assessment of whether an applicant is
qualified or poses a direct threat.  Pontiac also agreed that,
before rejecting an applicant on the basis that he or she poses a
direct threat, it will advise the applicant of that fact and
invite the applicant to demonstrate how he or she could safely
perform the essential functions of the position with or without
reasonable accommodation.  Finally, Pontiac agreed to conduct
training of its personnel staff and post notices of employee
rights under the ADA.

          4.  Amicus Briefs

     The Department files briefs in selected ADA cases in which
it is not a party in order to guide courts in interpreting the
ADA.

L.C. v. Olmstead -- The Department filed an amicus brief in this
case before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
arguing that title II prohibits the unnecessary segregation of
individuals with mental retardation in a Georgia State
psychiatric hospital.  One of the plaintiffs remains
institutionalized despite the recommendation of Georgia's own
experts that she be provided services through a community-based
program. The other plaintiff was placed in a community program
but then denied appropriate State services.  The lack of these
services threatens to result in her rehospitalization.  Given
that Georgia currently operates a community-based program, that
community placements in Georgia are less expensive than
institutional ones, and that Georgia's experts believe that the
most integrated setting appropriate for these plaintiffs is in
the community, the Department argued that, in this case, title II
requires community placements and appropriate support services.

     B.  Formal Settlement Agreements

     The Department sometimes resolves cases without filing a
lawsuit by means of formal written settlement agreements.
                              
                            Title II

** Stowe Township, Pennsylvania -- A formal agreement between the
Department and  the Board of Commissioners of Stowe Township,
Pennsylvania, resolved a complaint alleging that the Board of
Commissioners' public meetings were not accessible to people with
disabilities because they were held on the inaccessible second
floor of the municipal building.  The commissioners agreed to
establish a policy by which members of the public can request
modifications to policies, practices, and procedures of the
Commission.  In addition, the settlement agreement requires the
Commission to move its public meetings to an accessible location
upon reasonable notice (no more than one week), and to utilize an
existing audiovisual system on the accessible first floor on all
occasions when the public meetings are not moved.

Boone County, Indiana -- The Department of Justice entered into
an agreement with Boone County, Indiana, to ensure access at the
Boone County Courthouse to persons who are hard of hearing. The
county agreed to purchase a portable assistive listening system
for the courthouse; to have a number of receivers available equal
to at least four percent of the total seating capacity of the
courtrooms; to train court personnel in the set-up, use, and
maintenance of the assistive listening system; and to post a
notice in conspicuous areas of the courthouse notifying patrons
of the availability of the system.

Colusa County, California -- The Department entered into a
settlement agreement with the Sheriff's Department of Colusa
County, California, to resolve a complaint alleging that the
facility was inaccessible to a wheelchair user who had come to
visit an inmate in the county jail. Under the agreement the
county will make the necessary modifications to provide
accessible parking, an accessible path of travel to the front
entrance of the building, an accessible front entrance, and
accessible restrooms and water fountains.
          
** Oregon State Lottery Commission -- The Oregon State Lottery
will be made accessible to persons with mobility impairments
under a negotiated settlement agreement with the Department. The
State will require more than 3,000 retail outlets participating
in the lottery program to ensure equal access to their
lottery-related services by installing accessibility features,
removing barriers through structural modifications, and, in some
cases, using alternative methods of providing access to the
services.   Effective July 1, 1997, all new retailer locations
and all locations sold to new owners must be wheelchair
accessible; existing retail outlets as of that date have an
additional year to make their lottery-related facilities
accessible.  The agreement also creates a procedure for dealing
with complaints about inaccessible lottery retailers.

Grand Rapids, Michigan -- The Department reached a settlement
agreement with the 63rd District Court Probation Department
regarding auxiliary aids. The agreement provides that, in those
proceedings of the court probation department where an
interpreter is required to ensure effective communication with an
individual who is deaf or hard of hearing, the court will, upon
reasonable notice, secure the services of a qualified
interpreter.  The court also agreed to provide auxiliary aids and
services, including interpreters, at the court's expense; to give
primary consideration to the request of the individual with a
disability when determining what type of auxiliary aid or service
is appropriate; and to notify individuals who are deaf or hard of
hearing about the availability of auxiliary aids and services
through pamphlets, posters, or other appropriate means.

City of Alton, Illinois -- The Department entered into a
settlement agreement with the  City of Alton, Illinois, ensuring
that people with disabilities will have access to the public
square at the site of the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates. The city
purchased a ramp and staging equipment that allows persons with
mobility impairments access to all public activities.  The city
also agreed to consult with local organizations representing
persons with disabilities when planning for the new construction
or alteration of any public facilities.

                            Title III

Howard Johnson River's Edge Hotel, Clarksville, Indiana -- The
Department reached an agreement with the Howard Johnson River's
Edge Hotel resolving a complaint alleging that the hotel assessed
a surcharge for allowing a service animal to stay with its owner.
The hotel agreed to adopt a written policy incorporating the
ADA's definition of service animal.  Service animals will be
allowed to stay in the rooms of guests with disabilities without
any security deposit or other special fee being required.  The
hotel agreed to distribute the policy to all hotel employees and
to post it in a conspicuous place at the hotel front desk.

** Eye Institute of Orange County, Irvine, California -- The Eye
Institute of Orange County signed an agreement to treat patients
with disabilities on a nondiscriminatory basis.  The agreement
resolves a complaint against the Institute, a private
ophthalmological practice in southern California, alleging that a
15-year old girl was denied an appointment because she has Down
Syndrome.  Under the agreement, the Eye Institute will adopt a
written nondiscrimination policy, post the policy in the lobbies
of its offices and distribute it to all employees, require all
employees to attend mandatory training on the policy within 15
days, and pay $5,000 in compensatory damages to the girl. 

Your Man Tours, Inc., Los Angeles, California -- The Department
reached a settlement agreement with Your Man Tours, Inc. (YMT), a
company that organizes vacation tours, to resolve two complaints
alleging that the company charged extra to make vacation plans
for people with disabilities.  The complainants, one of whom uses
a wheelchair and the other a walker, requested YMT to accommodate
their mobility impairments in making reservations for a vacation
trip to Hawaii.  Both canceled their plans rather than pay the
extra charges which they contend were demanded by YMT.  The
settlement prohibits YMT from charging extra to make reservations
for accessible accommodations.  Under the agreement, YMT provided
a free trip to Hawaii to one complainant, paid the other
complainant $1648.90 (the value of the trip), and made a $2,000
donation to Mobility International, USA, a nonprofit organization
that distributes information about travel and educational
opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Detroit Lions, Detroit, Michigan -- The Detroit Lions agreed to
compensate a group of young athletes with disabilities who
experienced discrimination when attempting to attend a Lions
football game.  A sports team of disabled youth won a ticket
lottery for school-age teams sponsored by the Lions in which the
winners were awarded tickets to Lions professional football games
at a cost of one dollar per ticket.  When the youngsters tried to
redeem their tickets for wheelchair seating, they were told they
would have to pay full price for the tickets for the wheelchair
locations while other team members who did not use wheelchairs
would be able to use the one-dollar tickets for seats.  In
addition, when the team members using wheelchairs actually
purchased full-price tickets, they were not allowed to sit with
their teammates in adjoining seats.  The Lions agreed to modify
their ticketing policy to provide companion seating for
accessible wheelchair locations and no longer to require proof of
disability in order to purchase tickets for wheelchair seating. 
The Lions also agreed to give complainants 2,000 tickets to a
preseason game (valued at $70,000);  official autographed NFL
clothing, souvenirs, and collectibles; and visits to Lions'
locker rooms and camps.

Denny's Restaurant, Lumberton, North Carolina -- The Department
entered into a settlement agreement with B&G Management, Inc.,
operator of a Denny's Restaurant in  Lumberton, North Carolina,
resolving a complaint alleging that the restaurant refused to
serve a customer and his wife because he was accompanied by a
service animal.  B&G agreed to adopt a policy that all persons
with disabilities, including those accompanied by service
animals, will be welcome in the restaurant, and that no proof of
an animal's certification as a service animal will be required.
B&G also agreed to post this policy in the restaurant and train
its employees to ensure that it is carried out.  In addition, B&G
paid $1,000 to the complainant in compensatory damages.

     C.  Other Settlements

     The Department resolves numerous cases without litigation or
a formal settlement agreement.  In some instances, the public
accommodation, commercial facility, or State or local government
promptly agrees to take the necessary actions to achieve
compliance. In others, extensive negotiations are required.
Following are some examples of what has been accomplished through
informal settlements.

A western State governor's mansion installed curb cuts to make a
garden accessible, constructed ramps from the mansion's driveway
to a terrace and a door, installed an accessible door threshold,
and lowered the basin and mirrors and installed grab bars in a
public restroom.

A New York State agency established six accessible parking spaces
in close proximity to its facility.

A Midwestern State general assembly revised its accessibility
policy to allow registered lobbyists with mobility impairments
onto the floor of the legislative chambers because the gallery is
not accessible.

A Florida county court house modified its security procedures to
reopen an accessible entrance to the public.

A Tennessee county circuit court adopted a policy to provide
appropriate auxiliary aids and services to ensure effective
communication with individuals with disabilities.

A California medical group agreed to provide interpreters at the
office's expense when necessary to ensure effective communication
with patients who are deaf or hard of hearing and to notify the
public by posting copies of the policy in its clinics.

II. Mediation

     Through a technical assistance grant from the Department,
the Key Bridge Foundation is accepting referrals of complaints
under titles II and III for mediation by professional mediators
who have been trained in the legal requirements of the ADA.  More
than 350 professional mediators are available to mediate ADA
cases in 45 States.**  Over 80 percent of the cases in which
mediation has been completed have been successfully resolved. 
Following are recent examples of results reached through
mediation. 

*  A wheelchair user complained that a large public outdoor swap
meet in Texas did not have accessible restrooms.  The person also
complained that, in order to obtain a permit to use a wheelchair
at the event, a person with a disability had to present a letter
from his or her physician.  The manager of the event agreed to
issue permits to wheelchair users when requested without asking
for any proof.  The manager also agreed to rent an appropriate
number of accessible portable restrooms for people with
disabilities.

*  In New York a person who represents people who are deaf or
hard of hearing  complained that a doctor refused to hire
qualified sign language interpreters for patients with hearing
impairments.  The doctor agreed to provide a qualified sign
language interpreter for a patient's office visit when a request
is made at least one week in advance.  The doctor agreed that the
request may be made by the patient's representative, or via a
telephone relay communication, or by any other means chosen by
the patient.  The doctor also agreed to educate his office staff
regarding this policy and the ADA.

*  A person with a disability complained that a Texas parking
garage had no accessible parking spaces for people with
disabilities.  The parking garage manager agreed to provide valet
parking in the garage for people with disabilities for the same
price as regular parking in the outdoor parking lots.

*  In Missouri a wheelchair user complained that a hospital did
not have an accessible entrance. The hospital management agreed
to have several doors replaced with automatic doors.

*  A person with a visual impairment complained that a
Massachusetts educational institute did not provide information
about course offerings in alternative formats and did not make
reasonable modifications in their procedures and practices to
enable people with disabilities to take the courses.  In
addition, the person complained that the institute had a safety
policy that excluded people with disabilities based on broad
generalizations instead of actual risks.  The institute agreed to
make information about registration times and course offerings
available on audio tape on a telephone information service used
by people with disabilities.  The information will also be
available for distribution on audio tape and in large print if
requested.  The institute agreed to modify its admission policy
and make determinations on a case-by-case basis as to whether a
particular individual with a disability is able to function
adequately and safely in a class.  The institute agreed to make
every effort to assist a person with a disability to attend the
class of his/her choice.  Technical assistance will be requested
from various disability organizations so that all available
information may be considered in order to assist a person with a
disability to participate in a class in the most effective way.

*  A person with a hearing disability complained that an Ohio
theater did not have an effective assistive listening system. 
The theater owner agreed to repair the battery charger for the
system so that it functions well and to maintain the system in
operating order at all times.  The owner also agreed to require
that the distribution of personal receivers be handled by a
manager or an assistant manager.

*  In Michigan a person who is legally blind complained that a
restaurant denied her access and service because she was
accompanied by a service animal.  The restaurant owner agreed to
modify this policy and to display a sign in the establishment
stating "No dogs allowed except those assisting people with
disabilities."  He agreed to discuss ADA issues with his managers
and crew once a month at regular staff meetings.

*  A person with a hearing disability complained that a Michigan
court failed to provide a qualified sign language interpreter
during crucial proceedings.  In mediation, the court agreed to
provide a qualified sign language interpreter for the complainant
if she or her attorney requests one at least three working days
in advance of the date of the proceeding.  The court agreed to
engage in a process of self-evaluation to determine its level of
compliance with all the other provisions of the ADA.

*  A wheelchair user complained that a California bowling alley
was not accessible.  The bowling alley owners agreed to remove
one of the fixed chairs to provide access to the bowling lanes. 
The owners agreed to educate their employees regarding customer
service for people with disabilities by training their employees
to welcome people with disabilities and to assist people with
disabilities in gaining access to the lanes.  They also agreed to
write a letter to a disability rights organization regarding the
actions being taken to ensure compliance with the ADA.

*  In Michigan a wheelchair user complained that a theater did
not have an accessible restroom. The theater owner agreed to
modify the restrooms to comply with the ADA.  The owner also
agreed to purchase training videos and tapes from a disability
rights organization in order to educate his employees and to
discuss sensitivity issues during their regularly scheduled
meetings.

*  In Missouri a wheelchair user complained that a store did not
have accessible parking and an accessible route to the facility. 
The store owner agreed to install curb ramps and a van-accessible
parking space.

*  A deaf individual complained that a Maryland doctor refused to
pay for a qualified sign language interpreter for the
complainant's office visits.  The doctor agreed to pay the
outstanding bill for interpreter services.  The doctor agreed to
change the office policy and establish a protocol for addressing
the needs of people with disabilities.  Specifically, a list of
qualified sign language interpreters will be maintained by the
office staff, potential patients who are deaf will be notified
that qualified sign language interpreters will be provided
free-of-charge for office visits, if requested in advance, and a
sign stating this policy will be displayed in the office.  The
doctor agreed to have the staff educated regarding the ADA.   The
doctor also agreed to write an article for publication in a
newsletter addressing the obligations of doctors under the ADA.
Finally, the doctor agreed to arrange for an advocate of the ADA
to speak at a gathering of physicians.

*  A person with a mobility impairment complained that a Maryland
bank did not have an accessible entrance or accessible parking. 
The bank manager agreed to have the door handles on the entrance
doors changed and to have the brick surface of the sidewalk
repaired.  The manager agreed to have the parking area restriped
and to create an accessible parking space with an upright sign. 
The manager also agreed to ensure that seating is made available
for people with disabilities.  Finally, the manager agreed to
train the staff to be sensitive to issues concerning people with
disabilities.

*   In Pennsylvania a wheelchair user complained that a
restaurant seated him only after he agreed to move from his
wheelchair to a seat in a booth.  The restaurant owner apologized
and agreed to instruct her staff on managing the space in the
restaurant so that it is accessible for patrons with
disabilities.

*  A wheelchair user complained that an Ohio restaurant did not
have an accessible smoking section.  The restaurant manager
agreed to create another smoking section that is accessible to
people with disabilities and to instruct the staff about this new
section.  The manager agreed to consult with the complainant
about making the bar accessible.  The manager also agreed to make
the modifications necessary for a van accessible parking space.

III. Certification of Sate and Local Building Codes

     The ADA requires that newly constructed or altered
facilities comply with the ADA Standards for Accessible Design
(Standards). The Justice Department is authorized to certify
building codes that meet or exceed the ADA's standards.  In
litigation, an entity that complies with a certified code can
offer that compliance as rebuttable evidence of compliance with
the ADA.
     
     In implementing its authority to certify codes, the
Department works closely with State and local officials,
providing extensive technical assistance to enable them to make
their codes equivalent to the ADA.  In addition, the Department
responds to requests for review of model codes and provides
informal guidance to assist private entities that develop model
accessibility standards to make those standards equivalent to the
ADA.
     
     The Department has certified the accessibility codes of the
States of Washington and Texas and has pending requests from --
New Mexico, Florida, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey, Maryland,
California, the Village of Oak Park, Illinois, and the County of
Hawaii.  The Department is also reviewing model codes submitted
by the Building Officials and Code Administrators, International
(BOCA) and the Southern Building Code Congress, International.
Recent certification activity includes --
Maine -- The Department made a preliminary certification that the
Maine Human Rights Act, as implemented by the Maine Accessibility
Regulations, meets or exceeds the new construction and
alterations requirements of title III.  The Department is seeking
public comment on this preliminary determination.  A public
hearing was held in Augusta, Maine, and a second hearing is
scheduled for December 2, 1997, in Washington, D.C.  Written
comments will be accepted until December 1, 1997.

Florida -- The Department also granted preliminary certification
of the Florida Americans with Disabilities Act, as implemented by
the Florida Accessibility Code for Building Construction. Public
comments are requested.  Public hearings will be held in Orlando,
Florida, on December 19, 1997, and in Washington, D.C., on
December 22, 1997.

III. Technical Assistance

     The ADA requires the Department of Justice to provide
technical assistance to entities and individuals with rights and
responsibilities under the law.  The Department encourages
voluntary compliance by providing education and technical
assistance to businesses, governments, and members of the general
public through a variety of means.  Our activities include
providing direct technical assistance and guidance to the public
through our ADA Information Line, developing and disseminating
technical assistance materials to the public, undertaking
outreach initiatives, operating an ADA technical assistance grant
program, and coordinating ADA technical assistance
government-wide.

ADA Home Page 

     An ADA home page is operated by the Department on the
Internet's World Wide Web
(http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm).  The home page
provides information about:

* the toll-free ADA Information Line,
* the Department's ADA enforcement activities,
* the ADA technical assistance program,
* certification of State and local building codes,
* proposed changes in ADA regulations and requirements, and
* the ADA mediation program.

The home page also provides direct access to:

*  ADA regulations and technical assistance materials (which may
be viewed online or downloaded for later use), and 
*  links to the Department's press releases, ADA Bulletin Board,
and Internet home pages of other Federal agencies that contain
ADA information.

President Clinton Featured on New ADA Radio Spot -- Attorney
General Janet Reno announced that a 60-second radio announcement
featuring President Clinton, entitled "America the Beautiful --
Bringing Down Barriers," will be sent to 4,000 radio stations
around the country in November.  Following is the script for that
announcement --
Background Music: "America the Beautiful" begins and fades.

President Clinton: America the beautiful ....from national parks
to ballparks, from museums to movie theaters, from downtown
centers to town halls -- So many opportunities to explore and
enjoy.  But for millions of our fellow Americans with
disabilities, a curb, a step, even a narrow door can stand in the
way.

That's why, in 1990, Congress passed the landmark Americans with
Disabilities Act.  Since then, communities, schools, and
businesses around the country have been bringing down those
barriers.  There is more that we must do to make the ADA work for
all our disabled Americans. When I injured my knee and used a
wheelchair for a short time I understood even more deeply that
the ADA isn't just a good law, it's the right thing to do.  Let's
bring down the barriers so everyone can enjoy all of America.

Music:    ...from sea to shining sea...

Announcer: Bring down a barrier.  Learn more. Call
1-800-514-0301.  A message from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Searching the ADA Home Page is Now Easier -- A "search engine"
has been added to the Department's ADA home page to make it
easier to find information contained in the growing number of ADA
documents and files available at the Department's website.  To
conduct a search, select the "Search the ADA Home Page" link
which is located at the bottom of the ADA home page.  Once
selected, the search engine allows you to use any key word or
phrase to search through all documents and files linked to the
home page.

ADA Information Line

     The Department of Justice operates a toll-free ADA
Information Line to provide information and publications to the
public about the requirements of the ADA.  Automated service,
which allows callers to listen to recorded information and to
order publications, is available 24 hours a day, seven days a
week.  ADA specialists are available on Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday and Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and on
Thursday from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).  Spanish
language service is also available.

     To obtain general ADA information, get answers to technical
questions, order free ADA materials, or ask about filing a
complaint, call:

          800-514-0301 (voice)
          800-514-0383 (TDD)

ADA Fax On Demand 

     The ADA Information Line's Fax Delivery Service allows the
public to obtain free ADA information by fax 24 hours a day,
seven days a week.  By entering the appropriate document code
number, callers can select from among 28 different ADA technical
assistance publications and receive the information, usually
within minutes, directly on their fax machines or computer
fax/modems.  A list of available documents and their code numbers
may be ordered through the ADA Information Line.

Publications and Documents

     Copies of the Department's ADA regulations and publications,
including the Technical Assistance Manuals for titles II and III,
and information about the Department's technical assistance grant
program, can be obtained by calling the ADA Information Line or
writing to the address listed below.  All materials are available
in standard print as well as large print, Braille, audiotape, or
computer disk for persons with disabilities.

     Disability Rights Section
     Civil Rights Division
     U.S. Department of Justice
     P. O. Box 66738
     Washington, D.C. 20035-6738

     Copies of the legal documents and settlement agreements
mentioned in this publication can be obtained by writing to:

     Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Branch
     Administrative Management Section
     Civil Rights Division
     U.S. Department of Justice
     P.O. Box 65310
     Washington, D.C. 20035-5310
     Fax: 202-514-6195

Currently, the FOI/PA Branch maintains approximately five
thousand pages of ADA material. The records are available at a
cost of $0.10 per page (first 100 pages free).  Please make your
requests as specific as possible in order to minimize your costs.

     ADA regulations and technical assistance materials can also
be downloaded from the Department's ADA Bulletin Board System
(ADA-BBS).  The ADA-BBS, which includes selected ADA documents
from other agencies, can be reached by computer modem by dialing
202-514-6193 or accessed on the Internet through telnet
fedworld.gov Gateway D.  The ADA Home Page also provides a link
to the fedworld gateway.

IV. Other Sources of ADA Information

     The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission offers technical
assistance to the public concerning title I of the ADA.

     ADA documents
     800-669-3362 (voice)     
     800-800-3302 (TDD)

     ADA questions
     800-669-4000 (voice)
     800-669-6820 (TDD)
     
The U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance
Board, or Access Board, offers technical assistance to the public
on the ADA Accessibility Guidelines.

     ADA documents and questions
     800-872-2253 (voice)     
     800-993-2822 (TDD)

     The Federal Communications Commission offers technical
assistance to the public concerning title IV of the ADA.

     ADA documents
     202-857-3800 (voice)     
     202-293-8810 (TDD)

     ADA questions
     202-418-1898 (voice)     
     202-418-2224 (TDD)

     The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation
Research (NIDRR) of the U.S. Department of Education has funded
centers in ten regions of the country to provide technical
assistance to the public on the ADA.

     ADA technical assistance nationwide
     800-949-4232 (voice & TDD)

     The U.S. Department of Transportation offers technical
assistance to the public concerning the public transportation
provisions of title II and title III of the ADA.

     ADA documents and general questions
     202-366-1656 (voice/relay)
     
     ADA questions
     202-366-4011 (voice/relay)

     Complaints and enforcement
     888-446-4511 (voice/relay)
     202-366-2285 (voice)     
     202-366-0153 (TDD)

     Project ACTION
     800-659-6428 (voice/relay)
     202-347-3066 (voice)     
     202-347-7385 (TDD)  

     The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is a free telephone
consulting service funded by the President's Committee on
Employment of People with Disabilities.  It provides information
and advice to employers and people with disabilities on
reasonable accommodation in the workplace.

     Information on workplace accommodation
     800-526-7234 (voice & TDD)


V. How to File Complaints

                             Title I

     Complaints about violations of title I (employment) by units
of State and local government or by private employers should be
filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.  Call
800-669-4000 (voice) or 800-669-6820 (TDD) to reach the field
office in your area.

                        Titles II and III

     Complaints about violations of title II by units of State
and local government or violations of title III by public
accommodations and commercial facilities should be filed with -
                    Disability Rights Section
                      Civil Rights Division
                   U.S. Department of Justice
                      Post Office Box 66738
                  Washington, D.C.  20035-6738

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