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Section 504 Self-Evaluation Information
(Attachment D)

1. 1. Has your facility completed a self-evaluation of its policies and practices to determine compliance with Section 504? If no, go to item 3 below.

   2. If your facility's Section 504 self-evaluation was completed more than three years ago, was it conducted under a federal regulation? If yes, go to item 2 below.

   3. If your facility's Section 504 self-evaluation was conducted less than three (3) years ago, your facility may not have to conduct another self-evaluation. Please provide our office with a copy (a description of the self-evaluation may be sufficient if your facility employs fewer than 15 persons) of the self-evaluation including, at least:
      • A list of disabled persons or other interested persons consulted.
      • A brief description of the policies, practices and structural issues examined
      • A brief description of the problems identified, modifications made or remedial steps taken.

2. If you are reading this paragraph, your facility answered yes to question (1b). Please provide our office with the date the self-evaluation was conducted and the federal regulations used to conduct it or a copy of the self-evaluation. If we can verify an appropriate self-evaluation was conducted by your facility, you will not be required to conduct another for this pregrant process.

3. If you are reading this paragraph, your facility has either answered no to question (1a), or your facility wishes to update its self-evaluation. If true, the following information may be helpful in the Section 504 self-evaluation process. A sample check list, Attachment D1, which you may choose to use, is included in this package.

The regulation implementing Section 504 requires a facility or agency to conduct a self-evaluation by reviewing its programs, including services, employment, physical facilities, and all policies and practices. Your facility should be reviewed to determine compliance with each section of Subparts A, B, C, and F of the Section 504 regulation.

In order to be accepted, the self-evaluation must be made "with the assistance of interested persons, including disabled persons or organizations representing disabled persons." (45 C.F.R. § 84.6(c)). It is suggested that the disabled person or organization representative assisting the self-evaluation committee be knowledgeable about the major disability categories: visual, hearing, mobility, and mental impairments.

The self-evaluation must identify the interested persons who have assisted in the process, the areas examined, the problems identified and the modifications made and/or remedial steps taken to correct the problems identified. Also, agencies or facilities that employ 15 or more persons must (1) appoint a Section 504 Coordinator (Sec. 84.7(a)) and (2) maintain a copy of the self-evaluation on file and make it available for public review for three (3) years after it is completed (Sec.84.6(c)(2)).

In order for the Office for Civil Rights to determine if the self-evaluation conducted by your agency/facility satisfies the regulatory requirements, the following information should be provided:

1. A list of all the interested persons consulted.
   1. Identify the disability of each person (e.g., hearing impaired, uses a wheelchair, blind.)
   2. Identify each disability organization contacted.
   3. Identify other interested persons contacted.
2. A list of all policies and practices examined relating to services and employment.
3. A list of all areas reviewed to determine physical accessibility.
4. A list of the problems identified.
5. A description or list of the modifications made and/or remedial steps taken to correct the problems identified.

A survey of the facility's accessibility should be made a part of the self-evaluation process to identify physical barriers to program participation and remedies (either structural or program changes) necessary to make services accessible. It should be understood that the physical accessibility survey does not constitute the entire self-evaluation; it is only part of the self-evaluation.

There is no required format for recording or presenting material developed in the course of a Section 504 self-evaluation. The important thing is that the self-evaluation meet the requirements of 45 C.F.R. § 84.6 of the Section 504 regulation and be a useful instrument in addressing Section 504 issues. A sample self-evaluation checklist is included, which your facility can use or modify to meet its specific needs.

An important tip: Although only Section 504 requires a formal self-evaluation, many providers use this as an opportunity to look at how their policies and practices affect persons protected by Title VI (race, color, national origin) and the Age Discrimination Act. In any event, it's wise to include on the self-evaluation committee persons who are sensitive to these issues.

Finally, if you are unable to complete your self-evaluation by the time you are ready to submit the other required civil rights data, send a signed statement to that effect including the date when the self-evaluation will be completed and contact the Office for Civil Rights for further guidance.

     

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