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The Honorable Conrad Burns
United States Senator
2708 First Avenue North
Billings, Montana 59101

Dear Senator Burns:

        This letter is in response to your inquiry on behalf of a
constituent who has a family member with a vision impairment who
resides in a nursing home. The constituent reports that it is
difficult for the resident to navigate from his bed to the
bathroom due to his impairment and the location of the bathroom
door in relation to his bed. You have inquired whether the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has any applicability in
this circumstance.

        The ADA authorizes the Department of Justice to provide
technical assistance to individuals or entities having rights or
obligations under the Act. This letter provides informal
guidance to assist your constituent in understanding the ADA's
requirements. However, it does not constitute a legal
interpretation and it is not binding on the Department.

        The Department's ADA regulation includes many requirements
intended to increase accessibility for persons with vision
impairments, such as the provision of certain tactile and braille
signs, audible alarms, and detectible warnings at transit
platforms and hazardous areas. However, although the ADA does
require that certain elements of a physical space be accessible,
it does not mandate a specific floor layout. Instead, architects
are allowed flexibility to conform to the needs of the space,
while incorporating accessible elements.



cc: Records; Chrono; Wadatch; McDowney; Magagna; FOIA; MAF.
    :udd:magagna:congress:burns

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        I have enclosed the Department's title III regulation
implementing the ADA, which includes the ADA Accessibility
Guidelines, for your reference. I have also included a copy of
the Department's Title III Technical Assistance Manual. I hope
this information will assist you in responding to your
constituent.

                                    Sincerely,




                                  James P. Turner
                        Acting Assistant Attorney General
                              Civil Rights Division

Enclosures (2)

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                                                   COMMITTEE:
CONRAD BURNS                                 COMMERCE SCIENCE, AND
  MONTANA                                        TRANSPORTATION
                                           ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
                                                        SMALL BUSINESS
                             United States Senate  SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON AGING
                          WASHINGTON, DC 20510-2603
                                        November 9, 1992

Mr. John Wodatch, Director
Americans with Disabilities Act
Post Office Box 66738
Washington, DC 20035-9998

Dear John,

        One of my constituents has contacted my office
requesting information on barrier removal as it relates
to the "Americans with Disabilities Act".

        This constituent has informed my staff that a family
member has recently been admitted to a nursing home. He
apparently has a number of physical limitations,
including limited eyesight. Our constituent tells us
that the bathroom door enters into the room and towards
the patient's bed; therefore, it is very difficult for
him to see his way to the bathroom. They would like to
know if the "Americans with Disabilities Act" has any
rules or regulations that apply to this type of
situation.

        Any information or help you can provide my staff to
enable us to assist in reaching a favorable solution will
be greatly appreciated. Please direct any correspondence
or questions regarding this inquiry to my office at:

                                Senator Conrad Burns
                                Attention: Connye Hager
                                2708 First Avenue North
                                Billings, Montana 59101
                                (406) 252-0550

        Thank you for your assistance in this matter. If
there is additional information you require, please feel
free to contact Connye.

                                        Sincerely,

                                        Conrad Burns
                                        United States Senator


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