U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Office of the Assistant Attorney General Washington, D.C. 20035 Mr. Kenneth M. Lesser First Vice-President Association of City Employees with Disabilities 706 North Vendome Street Los Angeles, California 90026 Dear Mr. Lesser: This is in response to your letter about the provision of curb cuts under title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Your letter also asked about available remedies under title II and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. The ADA authorizes the Department to provide technical assistance to entities that are subject to the Act. This letter provides informal guidance to assist you in understanding how the ADA may apply to public entities. This technical assistance, however, does not constitute a determination by the Department of Justice of rights or responsibilities under the ADA and does not constitute a binding determination by the Department of Justice. Title II prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in all programs, activities, and services provided or made available by State and local governments, instrumentalities, or agencies. The title II regulation (enclosed) is based on regulations implementing section 504. Like the section 504 rule, the title II rule provides that a public entity must not deny the benefits of its programs, activities, and services to individuals with disabilities because its facilities are inaccessible (S35.149). A public entity's services, programs, or activities, when viewed in their entirety, must be readily accessible to and usable by individuals with 01-00703 - 2 - disabilities. A public entity, however, is not necessarily required to make each of its existing facilities accessible. Nor does a public entity have to take any action that it can demonstrate would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of its program or activity or in undue financial and administrative burdens (S35.150(a)). Section 35.150(d)(2) of the title II rule states that public entities with responsibility for or authority over streets, roads, or walkways must prepare a schedule for providing curb ramps where pedestrian walks cross curbs. Priority must be given to walkways serving State and local government offices and facilities, transportation, places of public accommodation, and employers, followed by walkways serving other areas. This schedule must be included as part of a transition plan (S35.150(d)(2)). However, section 35.150 does not necessarily require a curb ramp at every intersection. Alternative routes to buildings that make use of existing curb cuts may be acceptable under the concept of program accessibility, even if an individual with disabilities may need to travel a longer route to reach a particular building than would a nondisabled individual. In residential areas, as opposed to commercial areas, it may be appropriate to establish a procedure for installing curb ramps upon request when an individual with disabilities moves into a neighborhood. Moreover, the fundamental alteration and undue burdens defenses will limit the number of curb ramps required in many cases. In developing a transition plan to provide curb ramps, a public entity should consider all of these factors. In the case of new construction and alterations (as opposed to existing facilities), the rule requires that curb ramps be provided at any intersection having curbs or other barriers to entry from a street level pedestrian walkway (S35.151(e)). In response to your question about remedies, title II incorporates the remedies of section 505 of the Rehabilitation Act, which include court orders to stop discrimination, termination of Federal funds when there are Federal funds to 01-00704 - 3 - terminate, and damages in some circumstances. Penalties are not available. Nor is reimbursement of Federal funds an available remedy under title II or section 504. I hope this information has been helpful to you. Sincerely, John R. Dunne Assistant Attorney General Civil Rights Division Enclosure 01-00705