FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          CR
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1995                         (202) 616-2765
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888

       NATIONWIDE RESTAURANT CHAIN TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBILITY
               UNDER JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SETTLEMENT

     WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Nearly 100 Lone Star Steakhouse and Saloon
restaurants that were not built or remodelled within specific
guidelines are being made more accessible to persons with
disabilities, under a formal agreement reached today with the
Justice Department.  
     The agreement stems from a requirement under the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) that the Justice Department review
newly constructed and altered facilities to ensure that they are in
compliance with the law.  As part of the review of Lone Star, the
Justice Department examined blueprints of the restaurants.
     In site visits, following the review of the architectural
plans, the Justice Department determined that the chain lacked
sufficient accessible parking, failed to offer sufficient
accessible seating, built inaccessible bathrooms, and installed
inadequate ramps.
     Title III of the ADA prohibits discrimination against persons
with disabilities by public accommodations such as restaurants. 
The law provides that failure to design and construct facilities
that are readily accessible to and usable by persons with
disabilities constitutes discrimination.  It requires that all new
construction and alterations commenced after the law went into
effect comply with specific guidelines known as the ADA Standards
for Accessible Design.
     Lone Star, which has 105 restaurants in 29 states, constructed
23 restaurants and remodeled 74 others since January 26, 1992, when
the law went into effect.
     "This agreement demonstrates the need for architects and
builders to comply with the ADA at the earliest stages," said
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Deval L. Patrick.  "We
are pleased that Lone Star is taking the steps necessary to improve
access for its customers with disabilities and to ensure that
future restaurants are built properly."
     Under the agreement, Lone Star will:
    make all of its restaurants fully accessible within 45 days,
     and comply with the Standards in the future.
 
    donate $25,000 to four non-profit disability groups selected
     by Lone Star, including, the National Council on Independent
     Living, Self Help for Hard of Hearing People, the American
     Council of the Blind, and the Learning Disabilities
     Association,

    allow site visits by the Justice Department and provide a
     detailed report outlining its compliance efforts.

     The restaurant chain cooperated with the Justice Department
review and began to correct the problems prior to signing the
agreement.
     "It's better to build it right the first time, than to have to
go back and fix it later," added Patrick.  "We encourage business
owners to urge their architects to carefully review building plans
to ensure they are in compliance with the ADA."
     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
urge 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).
     The Lone Star chain has restaurants in the following states:
Alabama (2), Arkansas (2), Colorado (4), Delaware (3), Florida (8),
Georgia (1), Illinois (8), Indiana (8), Iowa (4), Kentucky (4),
Louisiana (1), Maryland (1), Michigan (5), Mississippi (1),
Missouri (5), Nebraska (2), Nevada (3), New Jersey (1), North
Carolina (4), North Dakota (1), Ohio (13), Oklahoma (1),
Pennsylvania (5), South Dakota (1), Tennessee (3), Utah (1),
Virginia (10), West Virginia (1), and Wisconsin (2).
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