SEP 17 1996

XX
XX
XX

Dear Ms. XX

Senator Herb Kohl has referred your correspondence regarding

tornado warning signals for deaf people to the Department of
Justice for response.

Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in State and
local government programs. If tornado warnings are provided by
State or local governments, then those systems are covered
programs under title II of the ADA.

Title II requires State and local governments to ensure that

their communications with program participants with disabilities
are as effective as their communications with other participants,
unless doing so would result in a fundamental alteration to the
program or in undue financial and administrative burdens.
Generally, to satisfy communication obligations, State or local
governments must furnish appropriate auxiliary aids or services
when necessary to ensure full participation of people with
disabilities in public programs.

Your suggestion of a flashing light that is activated when a

tornado siren is activated is one possible means of ensuring
effective communication of tornado warnings to individuals with
hearing impairments. Other options may also be available. The
ADA does not dictate use of any particular method of complying
with title II's effective communication requirement, as long as
the method chosen ensures effective communication with persons
with disabilities.

cc: Records, Chrono, Wodatch, McDowney, Hill, FOIA

n:\udd\hille\policylt\kohl.ltr\sc. young-parran

01-04343​

-2-
 I have enclosed a copy of the Department of Justice's
regulation implementing title II for your information. For
further information regarding the ADA, you may contact the
Department's ADA information line at (800) 514-0301 (voice) or
(800) 514-0383 (TDD). Members of the Disability Rights Section
staff are available to answer questions on the information line
on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00
p.m., Eastern time. On Thursday, the information line is staffed
from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

I hope this information is helpful to you.

Sincerely,

John L. Wodatch
Chief
Disability Rights Section

Enclosure

cc: Senator Herb Kohl

01-04344​

(HANDWRITTEN)

7/23/96

Dear Senator,

I'm deaf, my name

is XX I understand
about tornado siren for hearing
people and impaired hearing who
wear hearing aid, but some deaf
people don't have hearing aid.
some deaf people don't watch T.V.
but deaf people can watch T.V. for
sign ET. I don't feel aware of the
weather. When special notice don't
have closed-captioned (live). I'm concern
about deaf people need protect to
themself. I went to Delavan to visited
my girlfriend's apt. She have tornado
siren flashing light. She love it.
I would like to have one. what do
you think about tornado siren
flashing light for only deaf people?
what to do about it?

Thank you

XX

01-04345