T. 5-26-92

         DJ 202-PL-00098

                                                JUN 1 1992

         DIR
WODATCH  Mr. John LaRue
         Kompan-BigToys
DATE     P.O. Box 529
         Tiverton, Rhode Island 02878

         Dear Mr. LaRue:
DEPUTY   
BOWEN    This is in response to your recent correspondence and
         telephone conversation with our office regarding playground
DATE     equipment.

                 The ADA authorizes the Department of Justice to provide
         technical assistance to individuals and entities that are subject
DEPUTY   to the Act. This letter provides informal guidance to assist you
MAGAGNA  in understanding the ADA's requirements. However, this technical
         assistance does not constitute a legal interpretation of the
DATE     application of the ADA to playground equipment and it is not
         binding on the Department.

                 Currently, the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility
SPECIAL  Guidelines (ADAAG) do not include specific standards for children
COUNSEL  or for the unique aspects of recreational facilities, such as
BREEN    playground equipment. The Architectural and Transportation
         Barriers Compliance Board, however, is in the process of
DATE     developing such standards. You may contact the Board for further
         information at 1-800-USA-ABLE.

                 Other facilities located at playgrounds, however, such as
JOHANSEN walkways and restrooms, must comply with ADAAG.
DATE     If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to
         contact us.

GYB                                          Sincerely,
DATE

                                          John L. Wodatch
                                              Director
                             Office on the Americans With Disabilities Act

         cc: Records, Chrono, Wodatch, Johansen. Breen
         udd:Johansen.Ltr.LaRue

01-00838




                                                KOMPAN
                                                KOMPAN, INC.
                                                RD #2, Box 249
                                                Marathon, NY 13803
September 25, 1991                              Tel: (607) 849-4111
                                                Tel: (800) 553-2446
                                                Fax: (607) 849-6686
Mr. John Wodatch
Office of Americans with Disabilities Act
P.O. Box 66118
Washington, DC 20035-6118

Dear Mr. Wodatch,

This is a follow up letter regarding a telephone conversation I had
today with Mr. Jeff Floriam at the ADA office. I contacted the office
to inquire the legalities regarding the ADA and the playground industry.
I am a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and hold a Masters
Degree in Therapeutic Recreation. I work for Kompan Inc. and BigToys
which are leading playground manufacturers. We have been involved in
wheelchair accessible/barrier free playgrounds for several years and are
quite interested in the implications that the ADA requirements may hold
for our industry.

I am looking for better direction on what the implications are. Should
playgrounds be:

1)      Accessible just to the playground?

2)      Accessible to the playground and around all of the equipment?

3)      Accessible to the playground, around all of the equipment and
        on the equipment via ramps?

4)      A certain percentage accessible?

These are questions I cannot get answered through the ADA, ATBCB, UFAS
or MGRAD. I would like to be notified of someone in your office that
holds these interest that would like to develop a line of communication.

I look forward to a response as we make this world accessible for all.

Sincerely,


John LaRue
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
JL/ka
                                THE PLAYGROUND COMPANY
01-00839