Message-ID:	<332EE3CA.7756@ddi.digital.net>
Date:	Tue, 18 Mar 1997 10:49:46 -0800
From:	Ralph Wirthlin <wirthlin AT ddi DOT digital DOT net>
Reply-To:	wirthlin AT ddi DOT digital DOT net
MIME-Version:	1.0
To:	jdashiel AT eagle1 DOT eaglenet DOT com
CC:	opendos AT mail DOT tacoma DOT net
Subject:	ADA software
References:	<Pine DOT NXT DOT 3 DOT 95 DOT 970318032615 DOT 21980C-100000 AT eagle1>

jdashiel AT eagle1 DOT eaglenet DOT com wrote:
> 
> >From an A.D.A. standpoint and that's operative for all federal
> sales in the U.S.A. now and is applicable in the event of
> litigation for private sector sales in the U.S.A. under the A.D.A.
> licensing any software with interface accessibility problems
> unmarketable.

Cite?  The ADA (Americans with Disablities Act) deals with disabled
access for public places as well as private-sector work places with more
than 15 employees.  A careful reading of the 1990 act revealed nothing
that *requires* a product to be ADA accessible - however much sense it
might make from a financial standpoint.  A disabled employee can request
that certain software be made available to permit him to fulfill his job
responsibilities, but there is nothing in the act which would force a
company to produce a "disabled-friendly" software package.

Just to make sure I wasn't misreading the act, I contacted the US
Department of Justice ADA information line (1-800-514-0301 (voice)
1-800-514-0383 (TDD)).  I was told unequivocably that computer software
whether produced for the private sector or for the federal government
does not come under scrutiny of the ADA.  I think they've answered that
before :).   
             


Ralph

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