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