SEPT 10 1993 Mr. Farley Lozowick FML Design Group, Ltd. 999 18th Street, Suite 1800 Denver, Colorado 80202 Dear Mr. Lozowick: I am writing in response to your letter requesting clarification of issues under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) in regard to the design of a Montessori school in Ft. Worth, Texas. The ADA authorizes the Department of Justice to provide technical assistance and information to individuals and entities who have questions about the Act or the Standards for Accessible Design adopted under the Department's ADA regulations. This letter provides informal guidance to assist you in understanding and complying with the ADA's requirements. However, this technical assistance should not be viewed as legal advice or a legal opinion about your rights or responsibilities under the ADA. The ADA requires generally that all toilet rooms meet the technical standards in S 4.22 of the ADA's Standard for Accessible Design (enclosed). However, restrooms in classrooms for use exclusively by small children may have drinking fountains, lavatories, and toilets that are designed specifically for use by small children. The ADA standards are indeed based on adult dimensions and anthropometrics and there are no accessibility standards at this time for small children. The Americans with Disabilities Act is a Federal law and does not require any state regulations for its enforcement. We hope this information is helpful to you. Sincerely, John L. Wodatch Chief Public Access Section Enclosure : Records, Chrono, Wodatch, Johansen, FOIA, Friedlander \udd\johansen\lozowick.ltr 01-02579 01-2578 05-18-1993 12:39PM FROM FML TO 12023071198 P.02 FML Design Groups Ltd. 999 18th St Suite 3550 Denver, Colorado 80202 (303) 294-9500 May 18, 1993 Ms. Lucille Johansen Assistant to Mr. John Wodatch American Disabilities Act 1111 18th Street, N.W. Suite 501 Washington, D.C. 20036 Dear Ms. Johansen: Our senior designer, Ms. LaDonna Holmes had a discussion with you yesterday regarding a clarification on an A.D.A. issue. We are an interior architectural firm that is currently designing a Montessori school in Ft. Worth, Texas. The school will consist of children ages from infant to 6 years old with classrooms as follows: Infant - 0-12 months Toddler - 12-24 months Mini - 2-3 years 3-4 years old 5-6 years old In the common areas, we have provided a restroom facility that contains a toilet, a lavatory and a urinal; all that meet the ADA regulations in full. However, in each of the classrooms, we have provided a myriad of drinking fountains, lavatories and toilets for small children's usage. The facilities offered for these children do not comply with the ADA regulations. As we understand it, the ADA regulations are for adults only. It is also our understanding, that there are no ADA regulations in the states of Colorado and Texas. If you are in agreement with the preceding, please indicate by signing on the line below and faxing this back to our office, along with a copy of your business card for our files. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Farley Lozowick Signature Date 01-02580