Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
U.S. Department of Education
The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) is committed to improving results and outcomes for people with disabilities of all ages. OSERS provides a wide array of supports to parents and individuals, school districts and states in three main areas: special education, vocational rehabilitation, and research. By providing funding to programs that serve infants, toddlers, children and adults with disabilities, OSERS works to ensure that these individuals are not left behind—in school, in employment, in life. OSERS also provides funds to programs that offer information and technical assistance to parents of infants, toddlers and children with disabilities, as well as members of the learning community who serve these individuals.
Website: www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/index.html
 

Disability Employment 101

U.S. Department of Education

In recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2003, the U.S. Department of Education, in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has released a guide to acquaint business leaders with programs and resources available to assist them in hiring people with disabilities. The jointly developed publication, "Disability Employment 101" includes information about how to find qualified workers with disabilities, how to put disability and employment research into practice and how to model what other businesses have done to successfully integrate individuals with disabilities into the workforce. Among other things, the 56-page guide provides information regarding department-funded vocational rehabilitation agencies, Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers, and Centers for Independent Living. It also includes checklists and various other resources to aid employers as they prepare to employ people with disabilities. You can read or download this publication at the Internet location below.

Website: www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/products/employmentguide/index.html
 

National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research

U.S. Department of Education

The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) provides leadership and support for a comprehensive program of research related to the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities. All of our programmatic efforts are aimed at improving the lives of individuals with disabilities from birth through adulthood. NIDRR conducts comprehensive and coordinated programs of research and related activities to assist in the achievement of the full inclusion, social integration, employment, and independent living of people with disabilities. NIDRR's total proposed fiscal year 2001 budget is $141 million ($100 million for research; $41 million for technology requirements). From this budget, NIDRR supports 344 projects. NIDRR's Program Directory lists all projects currently funded by NIDRR, and the site also lists publications available.

Website: www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/nidrr/index.html
 

ADA Technical Assistance Program

U.S. Department of Education, NIDRR

Since 1991, the Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers (DBTACs) have been providing information, materials, technical assistance and training on the ADA. In 2001, the Centers’ responsibilities expanded to include providing those same services in the area of accessible information technology. This includes building accessible web pages, assuring that distance learning programs are accessible and assuring that technology purchases are those that are best able to work with assistive devices used by people with disabilities.

The DBTAC’s work in the area of accessible IT is supported by the new National Center on Accessible Information Technology in Education, know as AccessIT. The National Center was funded to increase awareness of the need for, and availability of technology, which makes the educational experience accessible to all users.

Website: www.adata.org/index.html
 

National Technical Institute for the Deaf

U.S. Department of Education

The National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) was created by Congress in 1965 to promote the employment of persons who are deaf by providing technical and professional education for the Nation’s young people who are deaf. The Department of Education maintains a contract with the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) for the operation of a residential facility for postsecondary technical training and education for individuals who are deaf. The purpose of the special relationship with the host institution is to provide NTID and its students with access to more facilities, institutional services and career preparation options than could be otherwise provided by a national technical institute for the deaf standing alone. RIT provides NTID students with options for courses of study from seven other colleges; health and counseling services; library, physical education and recreation facilities; and general services such as food, maintenance, grounds and security.

NTID offers a variety of technical programs at the certificate, diploma and associate degree levels. Degree programs include majors in business, engineering, science and visual communications. In addition, NTID students may participate in approximately 200 educational programs available through the Rochester Institute of Technology. RIT offers advanced technological courses of study at the undergraduate and graduate degree levels. NTID initiated a master’s degree program of its own in fiscal year 1996 to train secondary education teachers who will be teaching students who are deaf. Students enrolled in the program, who can be deaf or hearing, are charged the same tuition as students enrolled in other NTID programs, plus a graduate student tuition surcharge of 10 percent. The Institute also operates an Associate in Applied Science program to train interpreters for persons who are deaf and a tutor/notetaker training program. Students who are deaf who enroll in NTID or RIT programs are provided a wide range of support services and special programs to assist them in preparing for their careers, including tutoring, counseling, notetaking, interpreting, specialized educational media, cooperative work experience and specialized job placement.

NTID conducts applied research in occupational and employment-related aspects of deafness, communication assessment, the demographics of NTID’s target population, and learning processes in postsecondary education. In addition, NTID conducts training workshops and seminars related to deafness. These workshops and seminars are offered to professionals throughout the nation who employ, work with, teach or otherwise serve persons who are deaf.

Website: www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/ntid.html