AUG 10 1992

The Honorable Richard Bilirakis

Member, U.S. House of Representatives
4111 Land O'Lakes Boulevard, Suite 306
Land O'Lakes, Florida 34639

Dear Congressman Bilirakis:

This is in response to the questions regarding accessibility

for individuals with disabilities raised by your constituent,
XX of Tampa, Florida. The Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA) covers all of the barriers encountered by XX
heavy doors, location of parking spaces, steep incline from
accessible parking to entrance of building, and inaccessible
bathrooms. For existing facilities, the ADA requires that
barriers be removed if it is readily achievable to do so.
Please refer to section 36.304 of the title III regulations for
information regarding readily achievable barrier removal in
existing facilities. I am enclosing a copy of these regulations
and a copy of our Title III Technical Assistance Manual.

The Department of Justice has established a free telephone

information service that provides technical assistance on title
III of the ADA. The number is 800-514-0301 (voice) or 800-514-
0383 (TDD). Publications are available for entities covered by
the ADA and for individuals with disabilities protected by the
ADA.

I hope this information is useful to you in responding to

your constituent.

Sincerely,

Deval L. Patrick
Assistant Attorney General
Civil Rights Division

Enclosures

cc: Records Chrono Wodatch Breen Mistler FOIA Friedlander

McDowney
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June 1, 1994
XX
XX
Tampa, FL 33624

Sam M. Gibbons - Congressman

2002 N. Lois Avenue
Suite 260
Tampa, FL

Dear Congressman Gibbons:

Have you, personally, ever had to deal with problems such as these?

I had an appointment in 5 minutes, and I thought, "just enough time to

go into the ladies/men's room" "Wonderful! Special provisions have been made
for the handicapped." However, when I tried to go in, the door was so hard to
open it took both arms and all my weight to push the door open. My walker was
there between me and the door. I struggled to keep the door open while inching
the walker in. Finally, I was in but I thought, "What's this? A baby's
dressing table?" The walker can't be put to one side so that I can get out of
the way of the door when it closes. The door is so heavy it will knock me down
when it closes, I have to get out of the way. I have a few other problems,
like getting out of here. The 5 minutes will be long gone. So much for being
on time.

Again, I had an appointment. It's in a beautiful new professional

building. The handicapped parking spaces are in the front - - near the
drive - - out of the way. They are on such an incline that a walker is
difficult to maneuver, a manual wheelchair could prove to be hazardous. The
office I had business in, has no handicapped provisions in the bathroom.

A popular fast food restaurant I frequent with a handy drive-thru has

two handicapped parking spaces - - out of the way!! The drive-thru goes
through the parking lot. I would love to walk faster so that I could get out
of harm's way; however, I cannot. I move as fast as I can with my walker to
reach those heavy double doors - - my next challenge of the day.

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