# 195
II-1.1000                                    May 31, 1996
II-1.2000
III-1.1000
III-1.2000
III-1.3000

Mr. Jeffrey Stickle
Wilkes, Artis, Hedrick, & Lane
1666 K Street, N.W.
Suite 1100
Washington, D.C.  20006

Dear Mr. Stickle:

     I am responding to your letter of December 3, 1993,
concerning the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  I
apologize for the delay in responding.

     The ADA authorizes the Department of Justice to provide
technical assistance to individuals and entities that have rights
or responsibilities under the Act.  Pursuant to that authority,
this letter provides informal guidance to assist you in
understanding the ADA.  However, this technical assistance does
not constitute a legal interpretation of the statute, and it is
not binding on the Department.

     Your letter asks whether chanceries of foreign governments
must comply with the new construction and alteration provisions
of the ADA.  Title II of the ADA covers State and local
government entities.  A foreign government is not a State or
local government and, therefore, is not covered by title II. 
Title III of the ADA covers private entities that own, lease (or
lease to), or operate places of public accommodation and
commercial facilities.  A foreign government is not a private
entity and, therefore, is not covered by title III.  Therefore,
foreign chanceries are not covered by the construction provisions
of the ADA.

     I hope that this information is helpful to you and that this
letter fully responds to your inquiry.

                                      Sincerely,




                                   John L. Wodatch
                                        Chief
                               Disability Rights Section

cc:  Records, Chrono, Wodatch, Blizard, Hill
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