FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:    Jim Kaserman, Business & Industry Services, Lee County School District,
                (941) 574-7579, or Shari Morton at the same number.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (October 13, 2000) – A three-hour seminar on understanding and increasing opportunities for customers and future employees by meeting ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and Florida Accessibility Codes will be held Oct. 19 and 20.

The free seminar is open to area residents, businesses, builders, government and professional agencies. It is being co-sponsored by the Mayor's Alliance of Lee County, Lee County Government, Lee County Library System, Business & Industry Services of Lee County School District, Florida Gulf Coast University, the City of Cape Coral, and the Center for Independent Living of Southwest Florida.

The first seminar will be held on Thursday afternoon, October 19, 2000 from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of Cape Coral City Hall, 815 Nicholas Parkway, Cape Coral.

The second seminar will be held at the South County Regional Library on Friday morning, October 20, 2000 from 9 a.m. until 12 noon, 21100 Three Oaks Parkway, Estero.

The Keynote Speaker will be Mark Dubin, Attorney, Disability Rights Section, U. S. Department of Justice, who will speak on the topic, "Just What Does the ADA Require Anyway?" Below is the agenda:

Jim Kaserman, Coordinator, LCSD Business & Industry Services (Day 1)

Kathy Mayo, LCLS, Manager, Division of Community Access Services (Day 2)

Brief summary of where we have been and where we need to go

Representative from the Center for Independent Living.

Keynote Address: Just What Does the ADA Require Anyway ?

Mark Dubin, Attorney, Disability Rights Section, U.S. Department of Justice

Lee County Representative

ADA Coordinators

Individuals with disabilities explain how the ADA has impacted their lives.

Moderated by Elaine Hozdik, Director, Office of Multi Access Services - Florida Gulf Coast University