If necessary, OCR will bring administrative enforcement proceedings to secure compliance. OCR also conducts research and surveys on civil rights and equity issues and develops policies and regulations in these areas. OCR is located in the Mary E. Switzer Building in Washington, D.C. and also has staff in all ten Regional Offices. The Section 504 Self-Evaluation provided an opportunity to highlight those areas in which persons with disabilities might be excluded from activities or programs of OCR, despite OCR's current efforts to ensure equal physical and communications access. However, official OCR documents do not always inform customers with disabilities that they can be accommodated on request.
Information is made available on an ad hoc basis when requested.
In general, at meetings, conferences, and technical assistance presentations, accommodations are provided when requested in advance. Trainers need advance notification of the accessibility needs of the participant. Software is being purchased for an electronic library, under development, which will make the contents of the library accessible to visually impaired staff who are on line to the Department's computer network and to customers with access to a computer with a modem. Region I and headquarters staff with disabilities are dissatisfied with their emergency evacuation procedures. Region I is working with the General Services Administration and headquarters staff is working with the Department's Health and Safety Committee to address these concerns.