# 185


II-1.1000
II-1.2000                               March 19, 1996






The Honorable E. Clay Shaw, Jr.
U.S. House of Representatives
2267 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C.  20515

Dear Congressman Shaw:

     This letter responds to your inquiry on behalf of your
constituent, Mr. XXXXXXXXXXXXXX, who asks whether the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires a local telephone company to
provide the option of receiving telephone bills in large print or
on computer disk or tape.  Please excuse our delay in responding.

     The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability
by State and local government entities and in places of public
accommodation and commercial facilities.  The services of public
utilities such as telephone companies generally are not covered
by the ADA.  If Mr. XXXXXXX wishes to register a complaint with
the Federal Communications Commission, he can reach their office
of complaints and enforcement at (202) 632-7553 (voice) or
(202) 418-0485 (TTY).

     We hope this information is helpful to you in responding to
your constituent.

                            Sincerely,





                         Deval L. Patrick
                    Assistant Attorney General
                      Civil Rights Division


cc:  Records, Chrono, Wodatch, McDowney, Milton, FOIA
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