FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CR

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1998                                                                                                                         (202) 616-2777

                                                                                                                                                                                 TDD (202) 514-1888







FLORIDA BUILDING CODE FOUND TO BE


EQUIVALENT TO FEDERAL ACCESS REQUIREMENTS








	WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Florida building owners, contractors and
architects can be assured they are complying with federal
guidelines, now that the Justice Department has certified Florida
codes as being in compliance with a federal law requiring access
for individuals with disabilities. 

 	Acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, Bill Lann
Lee, announced today's certification at a press conference in
Tallahassee, together with Florida Governor Lawton Chiles.  

	The certification means that the Florida Accessibility Code
for Building Construction is compatible with federal requirements
governing new or altered buildings under the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA).  

	Florida becomes only the fourth state--in addition to Texas,
Washington and Maine--that has had it building codes certified as
ADA-equivalent.  

	Today, the Justice Department is also sending letters to
governors of every other state encouraging them to follow the lead
set by the four states that have already had their codes certified.

	"Every Floridian will benefit from Florida's new accessibility
standards," said Mr. Lee.  "Now architects and builders can comply
with the ADA simply by following state law."

	Title III requires newly built public accommodations and
commercial facilities, and those that are altered, to comply with
the ADA's Standards for Accessible Design.  To better coordinate
the ADA's construction requirements with established state and
local building inspection procedures, the Justice Department may
certify that a building code is compatible with the ADA.

	"Now building inspectors will be able to check compliance
early in the process, when mistakes can be easily corrected," noted
Mr. Lee.

	Owners, builders and architects will also have some additional
legal protection if they build in compliance with the certified
code, but are later sued under the ADA.  

	"Today's certification demonstrates that Florida is committed
to access," added Mr. Lee.  "Certification leads to greater
voluntary compliance, fewer ADA lawsuits, and more fully accessible
buildings."

	For further information, individuals can call the Justice
Department's toll-free ADA Information Line.  The Information Line
was established by Attorney General Janet Reno as part of a
nationwide campaign to educate the public about the ADA.  The
number is 800-514-0301 (voice) or 800-514-0383 (TDD).  The Justice
Department also has established an ADA home page on the World Wide
Web at (http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm).

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