Department of Justice Seal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	


CR


TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 1998	


(202) 616 -2765


TDD (202) 514-1888






CARMIKE CINEMAS TO ALTER THEATERS FOR DISABLED PATRONS



  

	WASHINGTON, D.C.      Disabled movie  goers at one of the
nations's largest movie theater chains will have an easier time
watching movies, under an agreement reached today with the
Justice Department.


	Carmike Cinemas, Inc., with more than 510 theaters and more
than 2,700 movie screens in 36 states, has agreed to resolve a
complaint lodged with the Justice Department by a patron in Des
Moines, Iowa.  The patron alleged that the Carmike theaters in
Des Moines violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by
having inaccessible entrances, restrooms, ticket windows and
parking lots, as well as inadequate wheelchair seating.  


	"People with disabilities should be able to go to the movies
like anyone else," said Bill Lann Lee, Acting Assistant Attorney
General for Civil Rights.  "For movie  goers with disabilities,
one of the greatest coming attractions is access."


	Two of the Des Moines theaters mentioned in the complaint,
will, among other things, widen existing doorways, lower public
telephones and install accessible bathroom facilities.  Carmike
also has agreed to conduct a nationwide review of all of its
theaters to identify and remove barriers to access.  As a
starting point to achieve nationwide barrier removal, Carmike
developed a twenty page survey which will be completed by theater
managers at every theater that it operates.  Based upon the
information derived from this survey, Carmike will work to remove
barriers to access at its theaters.


	Title III of the ADA requires places of public
accommodation, like movie theaters, to remove barriers to access
when it is readily achievable to do so.


	"We are pleased Carmike's is stepping up and doing the right
thing," added Mr. Lee.


	For more information about the ADA, individuals can call the
Justice Department's toll  free Information Line.  The hotline was
established by Attorney General Janet Reno to educate the public
about the ADA.	 The number is 800  514  0301 (voice) or 800  514  0383 (TDD).  The Justice Department also has established an ADA
home page in the World Wide Web at: 


http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm




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