Policy Guidance

• November 12, 2014: Dear Colleague letter PDF (159K) and accompanying Frequently Asked Questions document (FAQ) PDF (418K) from Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine E. Lhamon, Acting Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services Michael K. Yudin, and Vanita Gupta, Acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Justice, concerning effective communication for students with hearing, vision, or speech disabilities in public elementary and secondary schools.

  Dear Colleague Letter PDF (159K) | En español PDF (159K)

  FAQ PDF (418K)

  Parent Fact Sheet PDF (103K) | En español  PDF (103K)

• "Dear Colleague" letter (October 17, 2008) from Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Stephanie Monroe providing recipients with information regarding disclosure of disability on report cards and transcripts for students with disabilities attending public elementary and secondary schools.  The purpose of this guidance is to clarify how federal laws apply to statements on report cards and transcripts when these statements identify students as students with disabilities.  PDF (7M)

• "Dear Colleague" letter (July 25, 2008) from Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Stephanie Monroe commemorating the 18th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  This letter discusses the broad impact that Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504) and the ADA have had on aspects of education.  The linked pamphlet “So You Want to Go Back to School” (July 2008) provides information for wounded veterans who are qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 504 and ADA with an overview of their rights and responsibilities regarding academic adjustments, auxiliary aids, and reasonable modifications to school policies and practices at postsecondary institutions.  PDF (1.61M)
  
  
• "Dear Colleague" letter (December 26, 2007) from Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Stephanie Monroe addressing the rights of students with disabilities to participate in schools' and school districts' accelerated programs, such as Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate classes or programs. PDF (2.8M)
  
  
• "Dear Colleague" letter and "Dear Parent" letter (March 16, 2007) from Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Stephanie Monroe, providing information about the legal rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities as they transition from high school to institutions of postsecondary education.
  
  PDF (568K) "Dear Colleague" letter
  
  PDF (306K) "Dear Parent " letter

Technical Assistance Materials

• Transition of Students with Disabilities to Postsecondary Education: A Guide for High School Educators (March 2007). This document provides high school educators with answers to questions students with disabilities may have as they prepare to move to the postsecondary education environment.

• Auxiliary Aids and Services for Postsecondary Students with Disabilities: Higher Education's Obligations Under Section 504 and Title II of the ADA. (1998). This pamphlet reviews the obligations of higher education institutions to server students with disabilities. This pamphlet also includes answers to questions commonly asked by students and representatives of postsecondary institutions.

• Student Placement in Elementary and Secondary Schools and Section 504 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. (Revised August 1998). This publication explains Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and how they affect student placement in elementary and secondary schools. It also explains evaluation and placement procedures, the educational setting, reevaluations, the individualized education program, procedural safeguards, and nonacademic services and activities.

• Helping the Student with Diabetes Succeed: A Guide for School Personnel PDF. This comprehensive guide, co-authored by the Office for Civil Rights, was designed to help school personnel, parents, and students to create a safe learning environment and equal access to educational opportunities for all children with diabetes. The Guide was published under the auspices of the National Institutes for Health and the Centers for Disease Control.

• Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities This pamphlet contains information for high school students with disabilities who plan to continue their education in postsecondary schools.

• The Americans with Disabilities Act. (1991). This pamphlet, published by the Department of Justice (DOJ), contains a brief overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act and lists contact information.

• The Civil Rights of Students with Hidden Disabilities Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. (Code No. 22) (1995). This pamphlet answers questions about the civil rights of students with hidden disabilities and the responsibilities of ED recipients.

• Statewide Assessments and Students with Disabilities: Dear Colleague Letter (September 29, 1999) signed by the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Norma V. Cantú, and the Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Judith E. Heumann. Subject: Obligation to include elementary and secondary students with disabilities in statewide assessment systems.

• Federal Register, October 30, 1992, Part VI, Department of Education, Deaf Students Education Services; Policy Guidance; Notice. The Department provides additional guidance about part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (section 504) as they relate to the provision of appropriate education service to students who are deaf.

• Protecting Students with Disabilities: Frequently Asked Questions about Section 504 and the Education of Children with Disabilities. This set of FAQs was prepared by OCR in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and the Wisconsin Council of Administrators of Special Services.

• Additional resources are available in the Reading Room.

Links to Other Resources

• U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services

• U.S. Department of Justice Disability Rights Section

• U.S. Department of Justice ADA Website

• U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

• The Access Board: The U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board

• Disability.gov: One-stop online access to Federal government resources, services, and information regarding disability, maintained by the Office of Disability Employment Policy at the U.S. Department of Labor.

• Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers: Ten regional centers established by the Department of Education to provide information, training, and technical assistance to employers, people with disabilities, and other entities with responsibilities under the ADA

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