FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          CR
WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 1995                           (202) 616-2765
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888


   SAFEWAY SUPERMARKETS TO BECOME MORE ACCESSIBLE TO CUSTOMERS
  WITH DISABILITIES UNDER AGREEMENT WITH THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT

     WASHINGTON, D.C. -- One of the nation's largest supermarket
chains, Safeway Stores, Inc., will become more accessible to
customers with disabilities under an agreement reached today with
the Justice Department and several disability rights advocates.
     Today's settlement falls on the fifth anniversary of the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) -- a landmark law that
prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities.
     "The ADA is a common sense law that is opening up doors for
millions of Americans with disabilities," said Attorney General
Janet Reno.  
     To commemorate the anniversary, Reno and President Clinton
meet today with members of the disability community to discuss the
law's success.
     The Safeway agreement, which affects more than 800 stores in
16 states, resolves a complaint filed with the Justice Department
alleging that the supermarket chain violated the ADA.  The
complaint, filed by a Wisconsin resident with a disability, claimed
that wheelchair users found it difficult to shop in the supermarket
because the entrances were surrounded by poles.  The poles, or
security bollards, are intended to prevent customers from wheeling
shopping carts into the parking lot.
     "We have focussed our enforcement on access to the
fundamentals of everyday life," said Assistant Attorney General for
Civil Rights Deval L. Patrick.  "Few things are more fundamental
than getting into the neighborhood grocery store."   
    Title III of the ADA requires existing public accommodations,
such as supermarkets, to remove barriers where it can be done
without much difficulty or expense.  Supermarkets, and other public
accommodations, built or altered after the law went into effect
must be built according to specific standards set by law.
     Under the agreement Safeway will create at least one 32-inch
opening between the security poles at many of its stores so that
customers who use wheelchairs can have greater access.  In close
consultation with the Justice Department, Safeway also will launch
a nationwide effort to survey its 835 stores, determine where the
stores do not meet the ADA's requirements, and take steps to ensure
compliance.
     The survey will examine such things as the width of check out
aisles, the availability of accessible parking, the height of ATMs
and deli, bakery and checkout counters, and the accessi-bility of
telephones and public restrooms.
      "Safeway's plan to review stores nationwide demonstrates its
commitment to access," added Patrick.  "Even before the agreement
was reached, Safeway began taking steps to make its stores more
accessible.  We look forward to continuing our cooperative
relationship with Safeway."  
     Other parties to today's agreement include two individuals
with disabilities and the Disability Rights Council of Washington,
D.C., which sued the chain under the ADA, as well as the Disability
Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) of Berkeley, which had
received several complaints about Safeway's California stores. 
     The supermarket chain has stores in the following 16 states: 
Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Maryland,
Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota,
Virginia, Washington, Wyoming, and Washington, D.C.
     Last year Attorney General Janet Reno launched a national
campaign to educate Americans about their rights and obligations
under the ADA.  She is committed to reaching out to businesses to
achieve voluntary compliance with the law.  The campaign, which
includes television and radio public service announcements,
advertises a toll-free ADA information line.  The number is 
800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TDD).
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