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**Subject:** **ACCESSIBLE FORMAT POLICY**

**1. [PURPOSE]{.underline}.** This order provides Federal Transit
Administration (FTA) policy for accessible formats in accordance with
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and 49 C.F.R.
Part 28.

**2. [REFERENCES]{.underline}.**

> a\. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
>
> b\. 49 C.F.R. Part 28, Enforcement of Nondiscrimination on the Basis
> of Handicap in Programs or Activities Conducted By the Department of
> Transportation.

**3. [BACKGROUND]{.underline}.** Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973, as amended, requires Federal agencies to provide persons with
disabilities access to programs and activities. In addition, each agency
has a responsibility, pursuant to Section 504, to communicate fully and
effectively with employees, applicants, program participants, personnel
of other Federal entities, and members of the public with disabilities.

**4. [DEFINITIONS]{.underline}.** Accessible formats include, but are
not limited to, the following:

a\. **Audio Cassette:** typically the average conversation takes place
at 70 decibels (sound pressure level \[SPL\]). Because most audio
electronic devices have volume controls, a recipient of an audio
cassette should be able to adjust the SPL to accommodate their
individual requirements.

b\. **Electronic:** typically this includes computer disks, and postings
to the FTA website. Documents may be displayed in American Standard Code
for Information Interchange (ASCII) or other universal text formats, as
well as, FTA standard formats.

c\. **Large Print:** typically this may be displayed in a size 24 point
serif font (i.e.,Times New Roman).

**5. [POLICY]{.underline}.** It is FTA policy to make all documents
available in electronic format or on audio cassette, upon request.
Braille will not be used by FTA as an accessible format. Exceptions may
be made on a case by case basis, such as preparing critical regulations
and implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act.

> **Distribution:** FTA Headquarters Offices (T-W-2) **OPI:** Office of

FTA Regional Offices (T-X-2) Program Management

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FTA documents in accessible format will be disseminated using procedures
similar to those used for documents in standard printed format. A single
copy of an FTA accessible document will be provided on request.

FTA will not reproduce, for dissemination in accessible formats, out of
print documents that are available in electronic format. Individuals or
organizations requesting such documents are requested to access and
electronically retrieve them through the FTA website on the Internet.
Printed copies of most FTA documents are available through the National
Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield,
VA 22161, (703) 487-4650. Requesters should be informed that documents
are not available in accessible formats and a fee may be charged by
NTIS.

**6. [RESPONSIBILITIES]{.underline}.**

> a\. Each FTA executive office is responsible for ensuring that the
> following statement is included on all FTA documents for dissemination
> to the public: \"**This document may be made available in accessible
> formats upon request.\"**
>
> b\. FTA will make all documents available in electronic format, large
> print or on audio cassette, upon request, including: proposed and
> final regulations, Dear Colleague letters, external reports, and other
> publications.
>
> c\. FTA offices responsible for printing and/or the dissemination of
> public documents will make these available to the Office of
> Information Resources Management in electronic format (FTA standard
> format) for translation into the requested format(s)
>
> .
>
> d\. Offices responsible for the development of FTA contracts, grants,
> cooperative agreements, and interagency agreements will require that
> all public documents developed under the terms and agreements be
> prepared and submitted to FTA in electronic format(s). All work
> statements will include the following: **\"All public documents
> developed under this agreement must be prepared and submitted to FTA
> in an electronic format (FTA standard formats and/or ASCII text).**
> **Other accessible formats such as audio cassette, will be prepared
> only when specifically requested by FTA.\"**
>
> The costs of providing documents in accessible formats required by FTA
> are eligible project expenses under FTA grants and cooperative
> agreements, and eligible costs under Federal cost-reimbursement
> contracts.
>
> The following clause will be added to each Federal fixed price
> contract: **\"The fixed price of this contract includes delivery of a
> computer disk (in FTA standard formats and/or ASCII text) containing
> required documents under the contract. If requested by FTA, the
> contractor will also provide documents required for**

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**delivery under the contract in another accessible format (i.e., audio
cassette, etc.). The fixed price of the contract does not cover the cost
of providing documents in formats other than electronic format (i.e.,
computer disk). FTA will reimburse the reasonable costs of providing
those documents in other formats such as large print or audio
cassette.\"**

> e\. Each FTA executive office, responsible for the dissemination of
> printed documents, will provide the Internet Coordinator, through the
> appropriate representative, an electronic version of the document for
> inclusion on the FTA website.
>
> *(Original signed by Gordon J. Linton)*
>
> Gordon J. Linton
>
> Administrator