[Federal Register: October 16, 1996 (Volume 61, Number 201)] [Notices] [Page 53902] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Notice of Availability SUMMARY: The Department announces the availability of its Final Report on the Section 504 Self-evaluation (Final Report), conducted by the Department of Education under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 794). The Final Report examines the accessibility of the Department's programs and activities to persons with disabilities. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, provides that no otherwise qualified person with a disability shall, solely by reason of his or her disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity conducted by any Executive agency. The Department of Education published regulations implementing Section 504 in 34 CFR Part 105. Pursuant to 34 CFR 105.10, the Department of Education has conducted a self-evaluation of its current policies and practices, assessing how effectively they meet the requirements of Section 504 and its implementing regulations. On April 8, 1996, 61 FR 15472, the Department published in the Federal Register a notice soliciting public comments on the draft report of its Section 504 Self-evaluation. The Department received comments from nine commenters, primarily organizations representing or involved with people with disabilities, and those comments and the Department's responses are discussed in Appendix F to the Final Report. The Final Report contains (1) an evaluation of the accessibility of the Department's programs, activities, and facilities to persons with disabilities; (2) recommendations for improving the accessibility of the Department; (3) summaries of the self-evaluations conducted by each Principal Office of the Department; and (4) summaries of the architectural survey of Departmental facilities. The Department has organized two task forces to assist in the implementation of (1) program accessibility, and (2) facility accessibility as proposed by the recommendations of the Final Report. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A copy of the Department's Final Report is available in the Department's Public Reading Room located in Room 1333, Federal Office Building 10B, 600 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C., between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday of each week except Federal holidays. A copy of the Final Report may be obtained by writing or calling Eunice Fiorito, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, S.W., Room 3316, Mary E. Switzer Building, Washington, D.C. 20202-2500. Telephone: (202) 205- 8355. FAX: (202) 205-9252. Internet: Eunice__ Fiorito@ed.gov Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the TDD number at (202) 205-5465 or the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday. Copies of the Final Report are available in alternative formats upon request. The Final Report may also be obtained by accessing the Internet Gopher Server (at GOPHER.ED.GOV) and on the World Wide Web (at http://www.ed.gov/pubs/Sec504/). Dated: October 8, 1996. Howard R. Moses, Acting Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. [FR Doc. 96-26379 Filed 10-15-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P