Oklahoma Administrative Code › Title 612 - State Department of Rehabilitation Services › Chapter 20 - Special Schools › Subchapter 3 - General Operating Procedures for the Schools › Part 1 - GENERAL EDUCATIONAL POLICIES › Section 612:20-3-1 - The special schools

Current through Vol. 41, No. 20, July 1, 2024
(a)
Legal
				  base and Department responsibility.
The special schools were established
				  under the authority of Article XIII, Section 2 of the Oklahoma State
				  Constitution. The Department of Rehabilitation Services is responsible for
				  supervision of services provided in the Oklahoma School for the Blind (OSB) and
				  the Oklahoma School for the Deaf (OSD). The powers and duties of the Department
				  in relation to OSB and OSD are set forth in Title 10, Oklahoma Statutes,
				  Section
				  1418,
				  1419,
				  and
				  1420.
(b)
Purpose, nature of services
				  provided, approach and non-discriminatory practices.
(1)
Purpose.
The schools for the
				  blind and deaf exist for the purpose of meeting the educational, social, and
				  emotional needs of the youth charged to their care. This includes provisions
				  for a quality educational program that builds on individual strengths,
				  addresses individual needs and weaknesses, and encourages students to develop
				  and grow toward their maximum potential. It also includes the fostering in the
				  children of positive feelings toward themselves, toward others, and toward
				  their school.
(2)
Nature of
				  services provided.
OSB and OSD are both elementary and secondary schools
				  accredited by the Oklahoma State Department of Education. As such, they meet
				  all programming and course requirements of public schools in the state of
				  Oklahoma. OSB and OSD will not provide services which are mandated of another
				  agency. In addition, the comprehensive services given in (A)-(I) of this
				  paragraph are provided.
(A) Assessment and
				  evaluation of blind and/or deaf students within the schools and by referral
				  from throughout the state.
(B)
				  Special programming for pre-school age children.
(C) Special programming for
				  multidisability/special needs students.
(D) Physical education and competitive
				  athletic opportunities.
(E) Related
				  support services, e.g., speech, physical therapy, audiology, etc.
(F) Residential placement in a warm,
				  positive, accepting environment that fosters a positive self-image and
				  facilitates acquisition of self-help and independent living skills.
(G) Recreation and leisure time
				  activities.
(H) Pre-vocational and
				  vocational programming.
(I)
				  Further, OSD is authorized to establish a regional pre-school program to
				  provide services to the pre-school deaf population.
(3)
Approach.
A
				  multi-disciplinary approach is used to accomplish the purpose of the school.
				  This includes casework, psychology, health, education, and child care staff
				  functioning in accordance with their designated responsibilities and expertise.
				  All employees of the schools, whether houseparents, cooks, teachers,
				  maintenance personnel, or others have a responsibility for the well-being and
				  growth of the children with whom they work.
(4)
Non-discriminatory
				  practices.
OSB and OSD abide by the Equal Employment Opportunity
				  Affirmative Action Plan adopted by the Department of Rehabilitation Services.
				  Specific information regarding this plan may be obtained from the
				  superintendent's office at either school.
(5)
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and
				  ADA.
In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
				  and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Department's policy is that
				  no student shall be excluded from any program, activity, or educational
				  endeavor based on disability. The Department is responsible for fair employment
				  practices which assure that employees and applicants for employment are not
				  discriminated against on the grounds of disability. The Principal/Education
				  Director at the Schools for the Blind and Deaf are designated to coordinate
				  Section 504 and ADA compliance efforts, including the processing of
				  parent/student and employee complaints alleging discrimination on the basis of
				  disability.