MAY 7 1996


XX
San Marcos, California XX

Dear Ms. XX

        This is in response to your letter to Mrs. Clinton, which
was referred to this office for reply. You request help in
obtaining large-print bills and bank statements.

        The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits
discrimination on the basis of disability by State and local
government entities and places of public accommodation and
commercial facilities. The services of public utilities, such as
telephone companies, gas companies, electric companies, etc.,
generally are not covered by the ADA or any other Federal law
that would require their providing large-print bills.

        However, the ADA and the regulation issued by the Department
under title III of the ADA (enclosed) require public
accommodations, such as banks and retail stores, that are
privately owned and operated, to provide auxiliary aids and
services necessary to ensure effective communication with patrons
with disabilities. Large print materials are one type auxiliary
aid.

        A public accommodation is not required, however, to provide
any auxiliary aid or service that would fundamentally alter the
nature of the services offered or that would result in an undue
administrative or financial burden. Furthermore, while the title
III regulation encourages public accommodations to consult with
consumers about what they desire in the way of auxiliary aids, it
does not require public accommodations to choose one aid over
another only because the consumer chose it. Thus, a bank may
make its statements accessible to persons with vision impairments
by providing them in large print or on computer disk or tape or
by any other effective method.

cc: Records; Chrono; Wodatch; Hill; McDowney; FOIA
    udd\milton\letters\auxaid.tau
01-04263

                                - 2 -

        We hope this information is helpful to you.

                                Sincerely,

                             John L. Wodatch
                                 Chief
                        Disability Rights Section
                          Civil Rights Division

Enclosure
01-04264
  
                                                 XX
                                                 Sa Marcos CA XX

Dear Mrs Clinton,

                        I am legally blind and I have a problem!!
                        I am a long time member of a very good HMO.
I live alune and run my own home. I have attended seminars that have taught
me to be mostly independent. I take care of myself and home.

                        My problem? I can not-even with my high powered
magnifier- read the amounts due on my bills. or bank statements. I have made
requests for large print bills and so far all replys have been negative.
I have offered proof of need from my dovtors. In the meantime I do consider
it an invasion of my privacy to ask neighbors to read these amounts to me.
my debts are my own business!!

                        Many of these bills are printed in Spanish, Italian
and many other langiages-but these companys do not care to help us who are
attempting to stay off welfare. There are many of us and we are willing to
present proof with our request.

                        Can you help me to find the proper people to make
my appeals to? Your interest would be greatly apprciated.

                        GOD bless you and the President.

                                                Sincerely,

                                                XX
01-04265