2-7-94

XX (b)(6)
                                                  FEB 14 1994



XX
XX
Houston, Texas  XX (b)(6)

Dear Mr.  XX

     I am writing in response to your inquiry regarding
accessibility requirements under the Americans With Disabilities
Act (ADA) and the Department of Justice regulations implementing
the ADA.  Specifically, your letter asks about the applicability
of the ADA parking facility requirements to St. Vincent de Paul
Church in Houston, Texas.

     The ADA authorizes the Department of Justice to provide
technical assistance to individuals and institutions that may
have rights or duties under the act. This letter provides
informal guidance and information to help you understand your
rights under the act. However, this technical assistance does
not constitute a determination by the Department of Justice of
your rights or of the responsibilities of St. Vincent de Paul
Church under the ADA and does not constitute a binding
determination by the Department of Justice.

     Section 36.102 (e) of the Department's implementing
regulations for the ADA state that title III of the ADA, which
prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by public
accommodations and in commercial facilities, "does not apply to
... any religious entity." The Department's "Title III Technical
Assistance Manual" explains the definition of "religious
entities" and the scope of the exemption. I have enclosed a copy
of the technical assistance manual. Sections III-1.5000 to III-
1.5200 address the exemption of religious entities from coverage.










:  Records, chrono, Wodatch, Prieto, FOIA, Library
\udd\prieto\policy\religio2


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     I hope that this information is helpful to you in
understanding your rights under the ADA.

                           Sincerely,




                         Janet Blizard
                       Supervisory Attorney
                      Public Access Section

Enclosure
















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