FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          CR
THURSDAY, JULY 6, 1995                             (202) 616-2765
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888

               ASSIGNMENT DESK PLANNING MEMORANDUM
       PRESS BRIEFING ON THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADA
                                
     WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Justice Department experts will conduct
briefings over the next two weeks for reporters covering the
fifth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on
July 26.  
     This landmark civil rights law prohibits discrimination in
state and local government, public accommodations,
telecommunications, employment, and transportation against 49
million Americans with disabilities.  

                     Informational Briefings

     Experts in disability rights law will be available to answer
reporters' questions and discuss Justice Department efforts to
enforce the ADA.  The briefings will be scheduled at various
times throughout the next two weeks to accommodate reporters'
needs.  To participate in any of the briefings, contact:
                                
                          Lee Douglass
                    Office of Public Affairs
                          202-514-2008
                                
                      Written Status Update

     Handouts summarizing the law, highlighting cases brought by
the Justice Department, and describing past settlements in your
region are available upon request.

     The Department of Justice is one of the primary agencies
charged with the ADA's enforcement.  Since the law went into
effect in January 1992, the Justice Department has entered into
approximately 350 settlements to ensure compliance with the ADA. 
For example, in May the City of Chicago agreed to make its 9-1-1
emergency service accessible to people who are deaf or hard of
hearing or have speech impairments.

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