JAN 14 1993

Ms. Susan Taylor

Mastersoft, Inc.
6991 E. Camelback Road
Suite A-320
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Dear Ms. Taylor:

This letter is in response to your inquiry concerning the

applicability of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to
computer software manufacturers.

The ADA authorizes the Department of Justice to provide

technical assistance to individuals and entities having rights or
obligations under the Act. This letter provides informal
guidance to assist your constituent in understanding the ADA's
requirements. It does not, however, constitute a legal
interpretation and it is not binding on the Department.

Title III of the ADA applies to the operations of places of

public accommodation and commercial facilities. As noted on page
24 of the enclosed Title III Technical Assistance Manual,
however, the ADA does not require that manufacturers provide
accessible formats for warranties or operating manuals packed
with a product.

I hope that this information will be helpful to you.

Sincerely,

John L. Wodatch
Chief
Public Access Section

Enclosure

cc: Rosalie M. Lopez

Assistant to Senator Dennis DeConcini
cc: Records; Chrono; Wodatch; Magagna; Nakata; McDowney; FOIA;
MAF. :udd:nakata:congress.letters:deconcini.2

01-01839​

MASTERSOFT
6991 E. Camelback Rd., Suite A-32
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
602-277-0900
Fax 602-970-0706

12-2-92

Senator Dennis DeConcini

c/o Ms. Rosalie Lopez
323 W Roosevelt Street
Suite C-100
Phoenix, AZ 85003

Dear Senator DeConcini,

It is our understanding that your office may be of assistance in determining

our legal obligations to the visually impaired.

We are a computer software developer in Scottsdale with eighteen employees. We

produce a text conversion utility called Word For Word. The text conversion
filters that we develop are supplied on diskette and are accompanied by a
printed user manual.

Recently we have been repeatedly contacted by XX

XX has angrily demanded that we
provide our now printed user manual in diskette form, in compliance with
"recent legislation". He is also threatening legal action if we do not provide
this service immediately. There has been no prior demand for this, and before
undertaking such an expense, we would like more information.

What legal obligations, if any, do we have as a product manufacturer under the

mandates of the Americans With Disabilities Act and related legislation. Any
information you are able to provide will be greatly appreciated. We would also
like to forward any available material to XX

Thank you very much for your assistance in this matter.

Respectfully,

Susan Taylor

MASTERSOFT, Inc.

01-01840​

DENNIS DECONCINI WASHINGTON OFFICE

ARIZONA 328 HART SENATE OFFICE
BUILDING
WASHINGTON, DC 20510
(202) 224-4521
COMMITTEES: PHOENIX OFFICE:
APPROPRIATIONS 323 WEST ROOSEVELT #C-100
JUDICIARY United States Senate PHOENIX, AZ 85003
VETERANS' AFFAIRS (602)379-6756
INDIAN AFFAIRS WASHINGTON, DC 20510-0302 SOUTHERN
ARIZONA OFFICE
RULES AND ADMINISTRATION 2424 EAST BROADWAY
INTELLIGENCE TUCSON, AZ 85719
(602) 670-6831
COMMISSION ON EAST VALLEY OFFICE:
SECURITY AND COOPERATION 40 NORTH CENTER
STREET
#110
IN EUROPE/CHAIRMAN MESA, AZ 85211
(602) 379-4998
PLEASE DIRECT YOUR RESPONSE December 3, 1992
TO THE PHOENIX OFFICE

Mr. John Wodatch

Chief, Public Access Section
Civil Rights Division
U.S. Department of Justice
1333 F Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20004

Dear Mr. Wodatch:

Enclosed you will find an inquiry which Senator DeConcini

has received from his constituent, Ms. Susan Taylor, regarding
compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Ms. Taylor is the owner of a company that develops computer

software. As her inquiries indicates, they have been receiving
complaints from a customer who has demanded the user manual be
transkated in diskett form for use by individuals who are blind.

It would be greatly appreciated if you would review this

request and provide Ms. Taylor with an interpretation of their
responsibility to comply with this request under the mandates of
ADA.
Sincerely,

ROSALIE M. LOPEZ
Assistant to the Senator
Office of Dennis DeConcini
323 West Roosevelt, #C100
Phoenix, Arizona 85003
RML/R
01-01841