JAN 14 1993


Ms. Susan Taylor
Mastersoft, Inc.
6991 E. Camelback Road
Suite A-320
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Dear Ms. Taylor:

        This letter is in response to your inquiry concerning the
applicability of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to
computer software manufacturers.

        The ADA authorizes the Department of Justice to provide
technical assistance to individuals and entities having rights or
obligations under the Act. This letter provides informal
guidance to assist your constituent in understanding the ADA's
requirements. It does not, however, constitute a legal
interpretation and it is not binding on the Department.

        Title III of the ADA applies to the operations of places of
public accommodation and commercial facilities. As noted on page
24 of the enclosed Title III Technical Assistance Manual,
however, the ADA does not require that manufacturers provide
accessible formats for warranties or operating manuals packed
with a product.

        I hope that this information will be helpful to you.

                                                Sincerely,




                                             John L. Wodatch
                                                  Chief
                                          Public Access Section

Enclosure

cc:     Rosalie M. Lopez
        Assistant to Senator Dennis DeConcini

cc:     Records; Chrono; Wodatch; Magagna; Nakata; McDowney; FOIA;
        MAF. :udd:nakata:congress.letters:deconcini.2

01-01839

MASTERSOFT
                                        6991 E. Camelback Rd., Suite A-32
                                        Scottsdale, AZ 85251
                                        602-277-0900
                                        Fax 602-970-0706


12-2-92

Senator Dennis DeConcini
c/o Ms. Rosalie Lopez
323 W Roosevelt Street
Suite C-100
Phoenix, AZ 85003



Dear Senator DeConcini,

It is our understanding that your office may be of assistance in determining
our legal obligations to the visually impaired.

We are a computer software developer in Scottsdale with eighteen employees. We
produce a text conversion utility called Word For Word. The text conversion 
filters that we develop are supplied on diskette and are accompanied by a 
printed user manual.

Recently we have been repeatedly contacted by                 XX
          XX                     has angrily demanded that we
provide our now printed user manual in diskette form, in compliance with
"recent legislation". He is also threatening legal action if we do not provide
this service immediately. There has been no prior demand for this, and before 
undertaking such an expense, we would like more information.

What legal obligations, if any, do we have as a product manufacturer under the
mandates of the Americans With Disabilities Act and related legislation. Any
information you are able to provide will be greatly appreciated. We would also 
like to forward any available material to               XX

Thank you very much for your assistance in this matter.

Respectfully,




Susan Taylor

MASTERSOFT, Inc.

01-01840

   DENNIS DECONCINI                                     WASHINGTON OFFICE
       ARIZONA                                   328 HART SENATE OFFICE
BUILDING
  WASHINGTON, DC 20510
                                                          (202) 224-4521
     COMMITTEES:                                          PHOENIX OFFICE:
    APPROPRIATIONS                                  323 WEST ROOSEVELT #C-100
      JUDICIARY             United States Senate         PHOENIX, AZ 85003
   VETERANS' AFFAIRS                                       (602)379-6756
    INDIAN AFFAIRS        WASHINGTON, DC 20510-0302   SOUTHERN ARIZONA OFFICE
RULES AND ADMINISTRATION                                2424 EAST BROADWAY
     INTELLIGENCE                                        TUCSON, AZ 85719
                                                          (602) 670-6831
     COMMISSION ON                                       EAST VALLEY OFFICE:
 SECURITY AND COOPERATION                            40 NORTH CENTER STREET
#110
    IN EUROPE/CHAIRMAN                                     MESA, AZ 85211
                                                           (602) 379-4998
PLEASE DIRECT YOUR RESPONSE                 December 3, 1992
  TO THE PHOENIX OFFICE

Mr. John Wodatch
Chief, Public Access Section
Civil Rights Division
U.S. Department of Justice
1333 F Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20004

Dear Mr. Wodatch:

        Enclosed you will find an inquiry which Senator DeConcini
has received from his constituent, Ms. Susan Taylor, regarding
compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

        Ms. Taylor is the owner of a company that develops computer
software. As her inquiries indicates, they have been receiving
complaints from a customer who has demanded the user manual be
transkated in diskett form for use by individuals who are blind.

        It would be greatly appreciated if you would review this
request and provide Ms. Taylor with an interpretation of their
responsibility to comply with this request under the mandates of
ADA.
                                        Sincerely,


                                        ROSALIE M. LOPEZ
                                        Assistant to the Senator
                                        Office of Dennis DeConcini
                                        323 West Roosevelt, #C100
                                        Phoenix, Arizona 85003
RML/R
01-01841