MAY 12 l994



The Honorable Lauch Faircloth
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510-3305

Dear Senator Faircloth:

     This letter is in response to your inquiry on behalf of your
constituents, regarding detectable warnings under the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA).

     On April 12, 1994, the Access Board, the Department of
Justice, and the Department of Transportation published a joint
final rule in the Federal Register suspending the requirements of
the ADA Standards for Accessible Design for detectable warnings
at curb ramps, hazardous vehicular areas, and reflecting pools
until July 26, 1996. This suspension was in response to the
safety concerns that have been raised about the use of the
warnings and gives the Access Board time to research the question
of whether the warnings are needed. The suspension does not
apply to the requirement for detectable warnings on transit
platforms.

     We hope this information is helpful to you in responding to
your constituents' concerns.

                                    Sincerely,



                                 Deval L. Patrick
                             Assistant Attorney General 
                               Civil Rights Division


01-03057