FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CR FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1997 (202) 616-2765 TDD (202) 514-1888
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A decision made today by the Justice Department will make it easier for building owners, contractors, and architects in Maine to comply with a federal law requiring access for people with disabilities.
Today, the Justice Department certified that Maine's state building code--the Maine Human Rights Act, as implemented by the Maine Accessibility Regulations--is compatible with the federal requirements under the new construction and alterations provisions of title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Title III of the ADA requires newly built public accommodations and commercial facilities, including those that are altered, to be built in accordance with the ADA's Standards for Accessible Design. To better coordinate the ADA construction requirements with established state and local building inspection procedures, the Justice Department may certify that a building code is equivalent to the ADA requirements.
"The result of certification is greater voluntary compliance, less need for ADA lawsuits, and more fully accessible buildings," said Isabelle Katz Pinzler, Acting Assistant Attorney General. "The ultimate benefit of certification is its effect on the lives of people with disabilities."
Maine is only the third state in the country to have a certified building code. The Justice Department previously certified codes in Washington and Texas.
"Now building inspectors will be able to check compliance early in the process, when mistakes can be easily corrected," added Pinzler.
In addition, because certification provides rebuttable evidence of ADA compliance, builders in Maine will have some additional legal protection if they build in compliance with the certified code but are sued under the ADA."
For further information, members of the public can call the Justice Department's toll-free ADA Information Line. The hotline was established by Attorney General Janet Reno as part of a nationwide campaign 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 on the World Wide Web at:
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