A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n Report on the Section 504 Self-Evaluation - May 1996

Office of Elementary and Secondary Education

Overview

The Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) works closely with State and local communities to enhance educational opportunities and equity for all children and to improve the quality of teaching and learning by providing leadership, technical assistance, and financial support. OESE provides grant awards and administers several programs, including Impact Aid, Goals 2000, and the Safe and Drug-Free Schools program. OESE also administers Title I, which serves educationally disadvantaged children, particularly those in high poverty areas, Even Start, which provides a family literacy model that involves both parents and children, Eisenhower Professional Development program, which provides resources to train teachers in all core areas, and magnet and charter school programs, which encourage innovative reform. The population OESE serves includes Native American children, migrant children and adults, and homeless children.

OESE is located in the Portals Building, in Washington, D.C.

OESE Evaluation: Program Accessibility

OESE reports that there are no current circumstances in which a person with disabilities would be restricted or excluded from participating or required to participate separately in programs of the Office. Office staff are aware that it may be necessary to modify office policies or practices to enable persons with disabilities to participate in and benefit from office programs, but OESE still plans to review accessibility issues on a semi-annual basis with all staff.

OESE has produced videos, which included closed captioning, in the Safe and Drug Free Schools program and Goals 2000. Further, in its conference materials and other forms used when bringing in peer reviewers for grant competitions, etc., OESE provides, in a prominent place on registration materials and forms, information regarding how persons with disabilities can access the necessary special accommodations.

OESE has designees assigned to assist persons with disabilities during emergency evacuation procedures.

Existing Auxiliary Aids and Services

Specific OESE Services

TTY: Available within the Principal Office
Closed Captioning for Videos: Available within the Principal Office
Visual Slide Presentation: Available within the Principal Office
Portable Laptop Computers: Available within the Principal Office
Telephones Compatible with Hearing Aids: Available within the Principal Office
Readers: Available within the Principal Office
Note Takers: Available within the Principal Office
Audio Recordings: Available within the Principal Office
Guides: Available within the Principal Office
Oral Presentations: Available within the Principal Office

Commonly Available Services

All Principal Offices have available the following auxiliary aids and services: Large Print, Sign Language, Interpreters, Paper and Pen, and the Federal Information Relay System (FIRS). This Principal Office recognized its ability to provide the following:

Sign Language Interpreters: Available from the Department
Computer Diskette: Available within the Principal Office
Paper and Pen: Available within the Principal Office

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[Office of Educational Research and Improvement]

[Office of Postsecondary Education]