Call 1-800-949-4ADA
for Technical Assistance
Resources
The following is a brief annotated list of useful sources of information and assistance available to help school districts understand and respond to their responsibilities under the ADA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Feel free to contact the organizations to identify specific resources that address your needs.
FEDERAL AGENCIES
The federal agencies listed below are responsible for implementing various facets of the ADA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. All of these agencies provide technical assistance.
U.S. Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights
330 C Street, S.W., Room 5000
Washington, D.C. 20202
(202) 205-5413 (voice); (800) 358-8247 (TDD)
The U.S. Department of Education's (ED) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces Title II of the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. OCR has the responsibility for enforcing Title II with respect to all programs, services, and regulatory activities relating to the operation of public elementary and secondary education systems and institutions, public institutions of higher education and vocational education (other than schools of medicine, dentistry, nursing, and other health-related schools) and public libraries. ED's Section 504 regulation applies to preschool, elementary, secondary, postsecondary, vocational, and adult education programs and activities, as well as other programs and activities that receive or benefit from federal financial assistance.
OCR investigates complaints filed by individuals, or their representatives, who believe that they have been discriminated against because of disability. OCR also initiates compliance reviews of institutions and agencies, and monitors the progress of institutions and agencies that are implementing corrective action plans negotiated by OCR. OCR attempts to resolve compliance problems identified in the course of an investigation through negotiation. However, if negotiation fails, OCR will initiate proceedings to terminate the institution's funding or refer the case to the Department of Justice for court action. * Print Page 262
OCR offers technical assistance to help entities with responsibilities under the civil rights laws enforced by OCR achieve voluntary compliance by understanding their legal obligations, and to help those protected by the laws it enforces to understand their rights. As part of its technical assistance activities, OCR distributes information and materials and provides consultation on the requirements of the civil rights laws under its authority.
OCR consists of administrative offices that are located at the Department of Education's headquarters in Washington, D.C., and ten regional offices around the country. Addresses and telephone numbers for the regional offices are provided below.
Region I (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT)
Office for Civil Rights, Region I
U.S. Department of Education
J.W. McCormack Post Office and Courthouse, Room 222, 01-0061
Boston, MA 02109-4557
(617) 223-9662 (voice)
(617) 223-9695 (TDD)
Region II (NJ, NY, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands)
Office for Civil Rights, Region II
U.S. Department of Education
26 Federal Plaza, 33rd Floor
Room 33-130, 02-1010
New York, NY 10278-0082
(202) 264-5180 (voice)
(202) 264-9464 (TDD)
Region III (DE, DC, MD, PA, VA, WV)
Office for Civil Rights, Region III
U.S. Department of Education
3535 Market Street
Room 6300, 03-2010
Philadelphia, PA 19104-3326
(215) 596-6772 (voice)
(215) 596-6794 (TDD)
Region IV (AL, FL, GA, NC, SC, TN)
Office for Civil Rights, Region IV
U.S. Department of Education
101 Marietta Tower, Suite 2700, 04-3010
Atlanta, GA 30301-2048
(404) 331-2954 (voice)
(404) 331-7816 (TDD)
* Print Page 263
Region V (IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI)
Office for Civil Rights, Region V
U.S. Department of Education
401 South State Street
Room 700C, 05-4010
Chicago, IL 60605-1202
(312) 886-3456 (voice)
(312) 353-2541 (TDD)
Cleveland: (216) 522-4970 (voice)
(216) 522-4944 (TDD)
Region VI (AR, LA, MS, OK, TX)
Office for Civil Rights, Region VI
U.S. Department of Education
1200 Main Tower Building
Suite 2260, 06-5010
Dallas, TX 75202-9998
(214) 767-3959 (voice)
(214) 767-3639 (TDD)
Region VII (IA, KS, KY, MO, NE)
Office for Civil Rights, Region VII U.S. Department of Education
10220 North Executive Hills Boulevard 8th Floor, 07-6010
Kansas City, MO 64153-1367
(816) 891-8026 (voice)
(816) 374-6461 (TDD)
Region VIII (AZ, CO, MT, NM, ND, SD, UT, WY)
Office for Civil Rights, Region VIII
U.S. Department of Education
Federal Building, Suite 310, 08-7010
1244 Speer Boulevard
Denver, CO 80204-3584
(303) 844-5695 (voice)
(303) 844-3417 (TDD)
Region IX (CA)
Office for Civil Rights, Region IX
U.S. Department of Education
Old Federal Building, 09-8010
50 United Nations Plaza
Room 239
San Francisco, CA 94102-4102
(415) 556-7000 (voice)
(415) 556-6806 (TDD)
* Print Page 264
Region X (AK, HI, ID, NV, OR, WA, American Samoa, Guam, Trust Territory
of the Pacific Islands)
Office for Civil Rights, Region X
U.S. Department of Education
915 Second Avenue
Room 3310, 10-9010
Seattle, WA 98174-1099
(206) 220-7880 (voice)
(206) 220-7907 (TDD)
U.S. Department of Education
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
330 C Street, S.W., Room 3006
Washington, D.C. 20202
(202) 205-5465 (voice/TDD)
The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) supports programs that assist in educating children with special needs, provides for the rehabilitation of youth and adults with disabilities, and supports research to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities. OSERS is divided into three program areas: the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), and the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR).
OSEP is responsible for administering programs relating to the free appropriate public education of all children, youth, and adults with disabilities. OSEP oversees programs to expand and improve special education, administers grants to state education agencies to help state and local districts serve children and youth with special needs, and monitors state programs to ensure that students with disabilities receive appropriate education and that their rights and those of their parents or guardians are protected. OSEP also administers programs to train special education teachers and conducts research in improved methods of special education.
RSA allocates grants to state vocational rehabilitation agencies to help individuals with physical or mental disabilities obtain employment through counseling, medical and psychological services, job training, and other individualized services. RSA also funds programs that train rehabilitation professionals, enrich the lives of individuals with disabilities, increase the employment opportunities of individuals with disabilities, and enable people with severe disabilities to live more independently with their families or in their communities.
NIDRR provides leadership and support for a comprehensive and coordinated national and international program of * Print Page 265 rehabilitation research. Working with both federal and private-sector organizations, NIDRR develops and implements long-range plans for rehabilitation research and coordinates the work of all federal agencies supporting or conducting such research. NIDRR has also awarded grants to provide technical assistance to those with rights and duties under the ADA.
U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Public Access
Section
P.O. Box 66738
Washington, D.C. 20035-6738
ADA Information Line: (800) 514-0301 (voice); (800) 514-0383 (TDD)
To access publications on the ADA electronically: (202) 514-6193
(electronic bulletin board)
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) enforces ADA provisions prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability in state and local government services (Title II) and in public accommodations and commercial facilities (Title III). DOJ provides technical assistance on the ADA. ADA specialists are available to provide technical assistance on the ADA Information Line 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. eastern time Mondays through Fridays, except Thursdays when the hours are 1 P.M. to 6 P.M. Publications available from DOJ include the Title II and Title III regulations, the __Americans with Disabilities Act Title II Technical Assistance _Manual and the __Americans with Disabilities Act Title III Technical Assistance _Manual, as well as pamphlets and fact sheets explaining responsibilities and rights under Title II and Title III of the ADA.
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
1801 L Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20507
ADA Helpline: (800) 949-4232 (voice/TDD)
To order publications: (800) 669-EEOC (voice); (800) 800-3302 (TDD)
For referral to district, field, area and local offices:
(800) 669-4000 (voice); (800) 800-3302 (TDD)
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces Title I provisions prohibiting discrimination in employment against qualified individuals with disabilities. The EEOC investigates complaints filed by job applicants or employees who believe they have been discriminated against in employment on the basis of disability. The EEOC also provides information, speakers, technical assistance, training, and referral to specialized resources to employers and people with disabilities. Publications available from the EEOC include the Title I regulation, __A Technical Assistance Manual on the Employment Provisions (Title I) of the Americans with Disabilities _Act, as well as booklets and fact * Print Page 266 sheets that explain employer responsibilities and rights of individuals with disabilities.
Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board
1331 F Street, N.W., Suite 1000
Washington, D.C. 20004-1111
(800) USA-ABLE (872-2253) (voice/TDD)
(800) 993-2822 (TDD)
(202) 272-5434 (voice/TDD)
(202) 272-5449 (TDD)
The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) develops accessibility guidelines under Titles II and III of the ADA and enforces accessibility standards under the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA). The Access Board provides telephone assistance and training on technical and scoping requirements for accessibility and offers general technical assistance on the removal of architectural, transportation, and communication barriers affecting people with disabilities. Publications available for dissemination include: __ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) for Buildings and _Facilities; an ADAAG checklist for buildings and facilities; and bulletins on technical and design questions related to accessibility, covering such issues as parking, slip-resistant surfaces, visual alarms, detectable warnings, and TDDs.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Planning
and Development
451 7th Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20410-4000
(202) 708-0270 (voice)
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development allocates funds (Community Development Block Grants) to carry out a wide range of community development activities, including access improvements. Decisions on which projects are funded are made by units of general local government and in rural areas, by states in conjunction with units of general local government.
U.S. Department of Transportation
400 Seventh Street, S.W., Room 10424
Washington, D.C. 20590
(202) 366-9305 (voice)
(202) 755-7687 (TDD)
The U.S. Department of Transportation enforces and provides technical assistance concerning the ADA provisions that require nondiscrimination in public (Title II) and private (Title III) mass transportation systems and services. Publications available for dissemination include regulations * Print Page 267 concerning transportation for individuals with disabilities and a handbook for implementing complementary paratransit service requirements of the ADA.
Federal Communications Commission
1919 M Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20554
(202) 418-0200 (voice)
(202) 632-6999 (TDD)
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) enforces and provides technical assistance concerning the telecommunication provisions of the ADA (Title IV), which require that companies offering telephone service to the general public offer telephone
relay services to individuals who use TDDs or similar devices. The FCC also enforces the requirements for closed captioning of federally produced or federally funded television public service announcements. Publications available for dissemination include the regulations concerning telecommunication services for persons with hearing and speech disabilities and __Telecommunications Relay Service: An Informational _Handbook.
The President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities
1331 F Street, N.W., Third Floor
Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 376-6200 (voice)
(202) 376-6205 (TDD)
The President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities (Committee) provides information and advice on the employment of people with disabilities. The Committee conducts training conferences on the ADA, and works with state organizations (President's Committee Partners) to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The President's Committee Partners provide technical assistance on employment and information on auxiliary aids and services to ensure effective communication. The Committee funds the Job Accommodation Network, which provides free consultation on specific accommodation issues. The Committee provides a range of informational materials on the ADA and practical guidance on job analysis, job accommodation and modification, hiring and training people with disabilities, job placement, supervising employees with mental retardation, vocational rehabilitation, disability legislation and regulations, and working with people who have specific disabilities such as multiple sclerosis, blindness, diabetes, cerebral palsy, and cystic fibrosis.
* Print Page 268
DISABILITY AND BUSINESS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTERS
The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research has funded a network of ten regional Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers (DBTACs). The DBTACs provide information, training, and technical assistance to businesses and other entities with responsibilities under the ADA and to people with disabilities. The DBTACs act as a "one-stop" central source of information, direct technical assistance, training, and referral on ADA issues concerning employment, public accommodations, public services, and communications.
A list of the ten technical assistance centers is provided below. You can contact any DBTAC by dialing the telephone number listed, or dial 1-800-949-4ADA (voice/TDD) to be automatically connected to the DBTAC in your region.
_New _England DBTAC (Region I: CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT)
University of Southern Maine
Muskie Institute of Public Affairs
145 Newbury Street
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 874-6535 (voice/TDD)
(207) 874-6529 (fax)
_Northeast DBTAC (Region II: NJ, NY, PR, VI)
United Cerebral Palsy Association of New Jersey
354 South Broad Street
Trenton, NJ 08608
(609) 392-4004 (voice)
(609) 392-7044 (TDD)
(609) 392-3505 (fax)
_Mid-Atlantic DBTAC (Region III: DE, DC, MD, PA, VA, WV)
Independence Center of Northern Virginia
2111 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 400
Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 525-3268 (voice/TDD)
(703) 525-6835 (fax)
_Southeast DBTAC (Region IV: AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN)
United Cerebral Palsy Association
1776 Peachtree Street, Suite 310N
Atlanta, GA 30309
(404) 888-0022 (voice/TDD)
(404) 888-9001 (fax)
* Print Page 269
_Great _Lakes DBTAC (Region V: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI)
1640 West Roosevelt Road (M/C626)
Chicago, IL 60608-6902
(312) 413-1407 (voice/TDD)
(312) 413-1856 (fax)
_Southwest DBTAC (Region VI: AR, LA, NM, OK, TX)
The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR)
2323 S. Shepherd, Suite 1000
Houston, TX 77019
(713) 520-0232 (voice/TDD)
(713) 520-5785 (fax)
_Great _Plains DBTAC (Region VII: IA, KS, MO, NE)
University of Missouri at Columbia
4816 Santana Circle
Columbia, MO 65203
(312) 882-3600 (voice/TDD)
(312) 884-4925 (fax)
_Rocky _Mountain DBTAC (Region VIII: CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY)
Meeting the Challenge, Inc.
3630 Sinton Road, Suite 103
Colorado Springs, CO 80907-5072
(719) 444-0252 (voice)
(719) 444-0268 (TDD)
(719) 444-0269 (fax)
_Pacific DBTAC (Region IX: AZ, CA, HI, NV, PB)
Berkeley Planning Associates
440 Grand Avenue, Suite 500
Oakland, CA 94610
(510) 465-7884 (voice)
(510) 465-3172 (TDD)
(510) 465-7885 (fax)
_Northwest DBTAC (Region X: AK, ID, OR, WA)
Washington State Governor's Committee
605 Woodland Square Loop SE
Olympia, WA 98507-9046
(360) 438-4116 (voice/TDD)
(360) 438-4014 (fax)
* Print Page 270
OTHER
Adaptive Environments, Inc.
374 Congress Street, Suite 301
Boston, MA 02210
(617) 695-1225 (voice/TDD) (800) 893-1225 (voice/TDD)
Founded in 1978 as a nonprofit organization, Adaptive Environments develops and conducts educational programs and produces publications on accessibility (including award-winning design guidelines). Adaptive Environments is currently managing a three-year grant to help public schools comply with the ADA. Through this grant, training, publications, and limited technical assistance will be provided to interested school districts. Adaptive Environments also manages a Universal Design Information Network on the Internet.
Job Accommodation Network
West Virginia University
P.O. Box 6080
Morgantown, WV 26506
(800) 526-7234 (accommodation information) (voice/TDD)
(800) ADA-WORK (ADA Information) (voice/TDD)
(800) DIAL JAN (ADA information) (computer modem)
The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is funded by the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities. Through telephone consultation with professional human factors counselors, the JAN provides information and advice to employers and people with disabilities about custom job and worksite accommodations.
The JAN performs individualized searches for workplace accommodations based on the job's functional requirements, the functional limitations of the individual, environmental factors, and other pertinent information. The JAN assists employers and individuals with disabilities in the use of a variety of public programs. ADA Work Line, a toll-free hotline, is staffed by people experienced in discussing the application of the ADA, especially as it relates to accommodation and accessibility issues.
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contact us: DBTAC
Southwest ADA Center
800-949-4232 or 713-520-0232 v/tty