FEDERAL AGENCIES AND PROGRAMS
OF POTENTIAL INTEREST OR — USE TO
PERSONS WITH HEARING LOSS
ABLEDATA is an information and referral project that maintains a large database of assistive technology products. The project also produces fact sheets on types of services and other aspects of assistive technology.
ADA HOME PAGE
The ADA Homepage contains the ADA statute, ADA Title II and III regulations, technical assistance materials, enforcement information, and general ADA information.
DESCRIBED & CAPTIONED MEDIA PROGRAM (DCMP)
The Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP) is a free-loan open captioned media program. Deaf and hard of hearing persons, teachers, parents, and others may borrow these materials. Materials include educational videos (preschool through college) and general interest videos (classic movies, special interest topics such as travel, hobbies, recreation, etc.).
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (FCC)
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent United States government agency. The FCC was established by the Communications Act of 1934 and is charged with regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable. It is responsible for enforcing Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The FCC’s jurisdiction covers the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. possessions.
CONSUMER & GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS BUREAU (CGB)
DISABILITY RIGHTS OFFICE (DRO)
The Disability Rights Office (DRO) of the FCC addresses disability-related telecommunications matters, including telecommunications relay service (TRS) (Section 225), access to telecommunications equipment and services by persons with disabilities (Section 255), access to emergency information, and closed captioning. DRO also provides expert advice and assistance, as required, to other Bureaus and Offices, consumers, industry, and others on issues relevant to persons with disabilities. DRO initiates rulemakings, where appropriate, for the development of disability policy; reviews relevant agenda items and other documents and coordinates with Bureaus and Offices to develop recommendations and propose policies to ensure that communications are accessible to persons with disabilities, in conformance with existing disability laws and policies, and that they support the Commission’s goal of increasing accessibility of communications services and technologies for persons with disabilities.
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
The mission of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is to support our citizens and first responders, and to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
NATIONAL CENTER FOR DISSEMINATION OF DISABILITY RESEARCH (NCDDR)
The National Center for Dissemination of Disability Research (NCDDR) researches and funds approximately 300 projects including: employment outcomes, health and function, technology for access and function, independent living and community integration, associated disability, knowledge dissemination and utilization, capacity building for rehabilitation training, and state technology assistance.
NATIONAL INFORMATION CENTER FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES (NICHCY)
The National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY) provides fact sheets, state resource sheets and general information to assist parents, educators, caregivers, advocates and others in helping children and youth with disabilities participate as fully as possible at school or home and in their community. NICHCY also publishes Technical Assistance Guides, Student Guides, briefing papers and annotated bibliographies on selected topics. Many publications are available in Spanish, and all are available on the Internet.
NATIONAL INFORMATION CLEARINGHO– USE ON CHILDREN WHO ARE DEAF-BLIND (DB-LINK)
The National Information Clearinghouse on Children Who Are Deaf-Blind (DB-LINK) is a collaborative effort involving the Helen Keller National Center, Perkins School for the Blind and Teaching Research that collects, organizes and disseminates information related to children and youth (ages 0-21) who are deaf-blind, and connects consumers to sources of information about deaf blindness, assistive technology, and deaf-blind people.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DISABILITY, INDEPENDENT LIVING, AND REHABILITATION RESEARCH (NIDILRR)
The mission of the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) is to generate new knowledge and to promote its effective use to improve the abilities of individuals with disabilities to perform activities of their choice in the community, and to expand society’s capacity to provide full opportunities and accommodations for its citizens with disabilities. As the federal government’s primary disability research agency, NIDILRR achieves this mission by:
- providing for research, demonstration, training, technical assistance and related activities to maximize the full inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living, family support, and economic and social self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities of all ages;
- promoting the transfer of, use and adoption of rehabilitation technology for individuals with disabilities in a timely manner; and
- ensuring the widespread distribution, in usable formats, of practical scientific and technological information.
NIDILRR addresses a wide range of disabilities and impairments across populations of all ages.
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH)
The mission of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is to seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce the burdens of illness and disability. The goals of the agency are:
· To foster fundamental creative discoveries, innovative research strategies, and their applications as a basis for ultimately protecting and improving health;
· To develop, maintain, and renew scientific human and physical resources that will ensure the Nation’s capability to prevent disease;
· To expand the knowledge base in medical and associated sciences in order to enhance the Nation’s economic well-being and ensure a continued high return on the public investment in research; and
· To exemplify and promote the highest level of scientific integrity, public accountability, and social responsibility in the conduct of science.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS & OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS (NIDCD)
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) is one of the National Institutes of Health. The NIDCD Information Clearinghouse is a national resource center for information about hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech and language. The clearinghouse serves health professionals, patients, industry and the public.
NATIONAL REHABILITATION INFORMATION CENTER (NARIC)
The National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC) provides information and referral services on disability and rehabilitation, including searches of the biliographic database REHABDATA and document delivery. NARIC also provides the Program Directory of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) and the Compendium of Products by NIDRR Grantees and Contractors.
NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION (NTIA)
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is an agency in the U.S. Department of Commerce that serves as the executive branch agency principally responsible for advising the President on telecommunications and information policies. In this role, NTIA frequently works with other Executive Branch agencies to develop and present the Administration’s position on these issues. In addition to representing the Executive Branch in both domestic and international telecommunications and information policy activities, NTIA also manages the Federal use of spectrum; performs cutting-edge telecommunications research and engineering, including resolving technical telecommunications issues for the Federal government and private sector; and administers infrastructure and public telecommunications facilities grants.
OFFICE OF CITIZEN SERVICES AND INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES (OCSIT)
The Office of Citizen Services and Innovative Technologies exists within the General Services Administration (GSA) and maintains USA.gov, the U.S. government’s official web portal. As the U.S. government’s official web portal, USA.gov makes it easy for the public to get U.S. government information and services on the web. USA.gov also serves as the catalyst for a growing electronic government.
Launched in February 2003, Ready is a national public service advertising (PSA) campaign designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies including natural and man-made disasters. The goal of the campaign is to get the public involved and ultimately to increase the level of basic preparedness across the nation.
REGIONAL DISABILITY AND BUSINESS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTERS (The ADA National Network)
The ADA National Network is a network of Regional Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers that provide ADA technical assistance to businesses and helps them comply with the ADA.
ADA KNOWLEDGE TRANSLATION CENTER (ADAKTC)
The ADA Knowledge Translation Center (ADAKTC) functions as a platform for knowledge translation on topics related to the ADA. It does this by working to accomplish the following three goals:
1.Optimize efficiency and impact of the ADA National Network’s
2. Increase awareness and use of ADA research findings to inform behavior, practices, or policies, and
3. Improve understanding of ADA stakeholders’ need for and receipt of ADA Network Services.
RERC FOR WIRELESS TECHNOLOGIES (RERC-WT)
Funded since 2001, the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Technologies (RERC-WT) has become a recognized leader on issues and solutions related to the accessibility and usability of mobile wireless products and services by people with disabilities. The mission of the RERC-WT is to promote equitable access to and use of wireless technologies by people with disabilities and encourage the adoption of Universal Design in future generations of wireless devices and applications.
RERC ON HEARING ENHANCEMENT (RERC-HE)
The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Hearing Enhancement (RERC-HE) is a national project funded by the United States Department of Education, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) in the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS). The objective of the project is to conduct research, development, and training programs that promote technological solutions to problems confronting people with hearing loss. This mission is addressed by:
· Improving assessment, fitting, availability and use of hearing technologies
· Increasing the quality, availability, and knowledge of Auditory Rehabilitation services
· Training of consumers, service providers, and future researchers, developers and practitioners
· Transferring technology and knowledge to agencies, standards bodies, consumers, and the professions that can subsequently influence the communicative effectiveness of those who are deaf or hard of hearing
RERC ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS (RERC-TA)
The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) of the U.S. Department of Education, funds a Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Telecommunications Access (RERC-TA), which is a partnership between the Trace Research & Development Center, University of Wisconsin – Madison, and the Technology Access Program at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. The primary mission of the RERC-TA is to advance accessibility and usability in existing and emerging telecommunications products for people with all types of disabilities. Telecommunications accessibility is addressed along all three of its major dimensions: user interface, transmission (including digitization, compression, etc.), and modality translation services (relay services, gateways, etc.). The RERC-TA looks at advances that have both short- and long-term outcomes related to assistive technologies (AT), interoperability, and universal design of telecommunications. The RERC-TA encompasses research and development programs, as well as training, technical assistance, and dissemination activities.
TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was created in the wake of 9/11 to strengthen the security of the nation’s transportation systems while ensuring the freedom of movement for people and commerce. Within a year, TSA assumed responsibility for security at the nation’s airports and deployed a Federal workforce to meet Congressional deadlines for screening all commercial airline passengers and baggage. In March 2003, TSA transferred from the Department of Transportation to the Department of Homeland Security. TSA employs a risk-based strategy to secure U.S. transportation systems, working closely with stakeholders in aviation, rail, transit, highway, and pipeline sectors, as well as the partners in the law enforcement and intelligence community.
U.S. ARCHITECTURAL AND TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS COMPLIANCE BOARD (ACCESS BOARD)
The U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, commonly known as the Access Board, is an independent Federal agency devoted to accessibility for people with disabilities. Created in 1973 to ensure access to federally funded facilities, the Access Board is now a leading source of information on accessible design. The Access Board develops and maintains design criteria for the built environment, transit vehicles, telecommunications equipment, and for electronic and information technology. It also provides technical assistance and training on these requirements and on accessible design and continues to enforce accessibility standards that cover federally funded facilities.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DOE)
The mission of the Department of Education is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access. It engages in four major types of activities:
· Establishes policies related to federal education funding, administers distribution of funds and monitors their use.
· Collects data and oversees research on America’s schools.
· Identifies major issues in education and focuses national attention on them.
· Enforces federal laws prohibiting discrimination in programs that receive federal funds.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION RESEARCH (NIDRR)
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 their programmatic efforts are aimed at improving the lives of individuals with disabilities from birth through adulthood.
OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS (OCR)
The mission of the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence throughout the nation through vigorous enforcement of civil rights. OCR serves student populations facing discrimination and the advocates and institutions promoting systemic solutions to civil rights problems. An important responsibility of OCR is resolving complaints of discrimination. Agency-initiated cases, typically called compliance reviews, permit OCR to target resources on compliance problems that appear particularly acute. OCR also provides technical assistance to help institutions achieve voluntary compliance with the civil rights laws that OCR enforces. An important part of OCR’s technical assistance is partnerships designed to develop creative approaches to preventing and addressing discrimination.
OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES (OSERS)
The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) is committed to improving results and outcomes for people with disabilities of all ages. In supporting No Child Left Behind, 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.
OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS (OSEP)
The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) authorizes formula grants to states, and discretionary grants to institutions of higher education and other non-profit organizations to support research, demonstrations, technical assistance and dissemination, technology and personnel development and parent-training and information centers.
NATIONAL DEAF CENTER ON POSTSECONDARY OUTCOMES (NDC)
The National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes (NDC) is a technical assistance and dissemination center funded by the Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). The mission of the NDC is to support seecondary outcomes for individuals who are deaf, deafblind, deafdisabled, hard of hearing, or late deafened. The activities of NDC draw on evidence-based strategies to educate and engage with stakeholders across the nation. NDC seeks to create conditions for optimal success in a way that recognizes and honors the experiences, perspectives, and strengths of deaf individuals.
REHABILITATION SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (RSA)
The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) oversees grant programs that help individuals with physical or mental disabilities to obtain employment and live more independently through the provision of such supports as counseling, medical and psychological services, job training and other individualized services. RSA’s major Title I formula grant program provides funds to state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies to provide employment-related services for individuals with disabilities, giving priority to individuals who are significantly disabled.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS)
The mission of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is to lead a unified national effort to secure the country and preserve the freedoms of its citizens. While the Department was created to secure America against those who seek to disrupt the American way of life, the DHS charter also includes preparation for and response to all hazards and disasters.
OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES (CRCL)
The Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) supports the Department of Homeland Security as it secures the nation while preserving individual liberty, fairness, and equality under the law. CRCL is involved in all of the Department’s missions and performs four key functions to integrate civil rights and civil liberties into Department activities:
· Advising Department leadership, personnel, and partners about civil rights and civil liberties issues, ensuring respect for civil rights and civil liberties in policy decisions and implementation of those decisions.
· Communicating with individuals and communities whose civil rights and civil liberties may be affected by Department activities, informing them about policies and avenues of redress, and promoting appropriate attention within the Department to their experiences and concerns.
· Investigating and resolving civil rights and civil liberties complaints filed by the public.
· Leading the Department’s equal employment opportunity programs and promoting personnel diversity and merit system principles.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD)
The mission of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes; utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. The Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity administers the Fair Housing Act which prohibits discrimination based on disability when purchasing a house or renting an apartment.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (DOJ)
The mission of the Department of Justice (DOJ) is to “enforce the law and defend the interests of the United States according to the law; to ensure public safety against threats foreign and domestic; to provide federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime; to seek just punishment for those guilty of unlawful behavior; and to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans.”
CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION
The Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, created in 1957 by the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1957, works to uphold the civil and constitutional rights of all individuals, particularly some of the most vulnerable members of our society. The Division enforces federal statutes prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, disability, religion, familial status and national origin, including Titles II and III of the ADA.
DISABILITY RIGHTS SECTION
The primary goal of the Disability Rights Section is to achieve equal opportunity for people with disabilities in the United States by implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Through its multi-faceted approach toward achieving compliance with the ADA, this Section works to make this goal a reality. The Section’s enforcement, certification, regulatory, coordination, and technical assistance activities, required by the ADA, combined with an innovative mediation program and a technical assistance grant program, provide a cost-effective and dynamic approach for carrying out the ADA’s mandates. The Section also carries out responsibilities under Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act, and Executive Order 12250.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)
The mission of the Department of Labor (DOL) is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.
OFFICE OF FEDERAL CONTRACT COMPLIANCE PROGRAMS (OFCCP)
The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) enforces Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 with entities that contract with the Federal Government.
OFFICE OF DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT POLICY (ODEP)
The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) exists within the Department of Labor and maintains a web portal for all the various federal programs dealing with issues that affect people with disabilities.
JOB ACCOMMODATION NETWORK (JAN)
The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. Working toward practical solutions that benefit both employer and employee, JAN helps people with disabilities enhance their employability, and shows employers how to capitalize on the value and talent that people with disabilities add to the workplace.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT)
The mission of the Department of Transportation (DOT) is to serve the United States by ensuring a fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation system that meets our vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the American people, today and into the future.
OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS (OCR)
The Office of Civil Rights (OCR) of the Department of Transportation administers the Air Carrier Accessibility Act and Title II of the ADA dealing with public transportation.
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION (EEOC)
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is responsible for enforcing federal laws, including Title I of the ADA and Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee because of the person’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.
U.S. GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (GSA)
The mission of the General Services Administration (GSA) is to use expertise to provide innovative solutions for our customer agencies in support of their missions, and by so doing foster an effective, sustainable, and transparent government for the American people.
CENTER FOR I.T. ACCOMMODATION
The Center for I.T. Accommodation at the General Services Administration maintains a website that was intended to be a place for a variety of stakeholders to easily find guidance, tools, and resources for Section 508 procurements with the ultimate goal of ensuring equal participation for people with disabilities by improving Information and Communication Technology (ICT) accessibility.
U.S. HO– USE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The website of the U.S. House of Representatives provides information about all bills before the House, all committees of the House, all federal laws, all members of the House, and the legislative process.
The website of the U.S. Senate provides information about all bills before the Senate, all committees of the Senate, all federal laws, all members of the Senate, and the legislative process.
U.S. SUPREME COURT
The Supreme Court is the highest tribunal in the nation for all cases and controversies arising under the Constitution or the laws of the United States. The Court stands as the final arbiter of the law and guardian of constitutional liberties. The website of the U.S. Supreme Court provides the opinions of the Court, biographies of the justices, rules for visiting the Court, transcripts of oral arguments before the Court, and so forth.
WHITE HO– USE
The website of the White House provides voluminous information about the White House, Air Force One, the President, the Vice-President, the members of the cabinet, the President’s position on various issues of importance, and the status of presidential nominations and appointments. It also has a photo gallery of videos concerning daily life in the White House and the activities of the President.
NOTE: ALDA acknowledges the cooperation of TDI in the development of this listing. We invite updates, corrections, and suggested additions to this list. Any such information can be sent to us by CLICKING HERE and submitting the completed “Contact Us” form.Return to Home Page