[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 22, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25744-25749]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12779]
[[Page 25743]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Part II
Department of Justice
_______________________________________________________________________
Civil Rights Division
_______________________________________________________________________
Disability Rights Section; The Americans With Disabilities Act
Technical Assistance Grants To Promote Voluntary Compliance With the
Act; Notice
Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 100 / Wednesday, May 22, 1996 /
Notices
[[Page 25744]]
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Civil Rights Division
Disability Rights Section; The Americans With Disabilities Act
Technical Assistance Grants To Promote Voluntary Compliance With the
Act
AGENCY: Disability Rights Section, Civil Rights Division, U.S.
Department of Justice.
ACTION: Notice of availability of funds and of solicitation for grant
applications.
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PURPOSE: The Disability Rights Section of the Civil Rights Division,
United States Department of Justice (DOJ), announces the availability
of up to $500,000 to fund projects under the ADA Technical Assistance
Program. The program seeks to inform and educate covered entities and
persons with disabilities about their responsibilities and rights under
title II and title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
(ADA). The term ``covered entities'' refers to businesses, commercial
properties, institutions, State and local governments or their
agencies, and other organizations or enterprises that have
responsibilities under title II or title III of the ADA. The primary
objective of this program is to encourage and facilitate voluntary
compliance with titles II and III of the ADA and the Department's
implementing regulations through education and information sharing.
This year, the Department is seeking grant applications in the
following two (2) priority areas:
(1) Statewide projects to educate small businesses about the basic
requirements of title III of the ADA. The projects, utilizing local
business and professional organizations, will make businesses aware of
the ADA and the ADA resources available locally, within the State, and
from the Federal government; and promote the exchange of ideas and
information on successful compliance efforts within their communities.
The Department anticipates funding projects in larger States in amounts
up to $100,000 and projects in smaller States in amounts up to $50,000.
(2) Projects to conduct statewide ADA information-sharing
conferences for State and local government officials. These conferences
will provide information on the requirements of title II of the ADA and
the ADA resources available locally, within the State, regionally, and
from the Federal government; and promote the exchange of ideas and
information on successful compliance efforts within the State. The
Department anticipates that projects will be funded in amounts up to
$40,000 each.
Detailed information regarding these specific priorities may be
found in the Program Priorities section of this solicitation. Proposals
not responsive to the established priority areas will not be
considered.
Grants will be awarded to selected applicants who propose cost-
effective and efficient methods for carrying out projects related to
this year's priorities. The Department is particularly interested in
receiving proposals that: reflect an ability to begin project
activities in an expedited manner; demonstrate an ability to reach and
work effectively with established business, professional, trade, or
municipal organizations; utilize materials already developed by Federal
agencies and their grantees or contractors; draw on people within the
State who have ADA expertise; represent long-term joint ventures
between business, professional, trade, or municipal organizations and
organizations that represent persons with disabilities; and
specifically address how members of minority communities will be
included within the population targeted by the applicant for receipt of
technical assistance.
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS: This grant competition is open to non-profit
organizations, including trade and professional associations or their
subsidiaries, organizations representing State and local governments or
their employees, other organizations representing entities covered by
the ADA, State and local government agencies, organizations
representing persons with disabilities, and individuals. Preference
will be given to the specific types of organizations described under
Priority 1 and Priority 2 in the Program Priorities section of this
solicitation.
GRANT PERIOD AND AWARD AMOUNT: The period of performance will be twelve
months from the date of the grant award. An October 1, 1996 project
start date is anticipated. A total of up to $500,000 is available for
this solicitation. It is anticipated that Priority 1 grants will be
awarded in amounts up to $100,000 in larger States and up to $50,000 in
smaller States. Priority 2 grants will be awarded in amounts up to
$40,000. However, the estimated funding level announced in this notice
does not bind the Department of Justice to make any awards or to any
specific number of awards or funding levels.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications must be received by the close of
business (5:30 p.m. EST) on July 22, 1996, at the Disability Rights
Section, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 1425 New
York Ave., NW., Room 4039, Washington, DC 20005 (overnight, express, or
hand deliveries) or P.O. Box 66738, Washington, DC 20035-6738 (U.S.
Postal Service mail). Applications may not be sent by facsimile.
Applications received after 5:30 p.m. on July 22, 1996, will not be
considered for award, even if the application was postmarked before
that date. Incomplete applications will not be considered for award. In
order to be considered complete, one bound original and two unbound
copies of the application packet described in the Application
Requirements section of this solicitation must be submitted.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ruth Hall Lusher, ADA Technical
Assistance Program Manager, Disability Rights Section, Civil Rights
Division, U.S. Department of Justice, P.O. Box 66738, Washington, DC
20035-6738. Grant application packages may be ordered by calling 1-800-
514-0301 (Voice) or 1-800-514-0383 (TTY), 24 hours a day, seven days a
week. This Notice and other related information, with the exception of
standard forms, are available in alternate formats, e.g., large print,
braille, audiotape, and computer disk. With the exception of standard
forms, this information may also be accessed through the Disability
Rights Section's electronic bulletin board at (202) 514-6193.
Background and Program Description
On January 26, 1992, the major provisions of titles II and III of
the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) went into effect. The ADA
prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities by
employers, public accommodations and commercial facilities, State and
local governments, transportation providers, and telecommunications
services. Title III prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability
in a broad range of public accommodations, commercial facilities and
certain transportation services. Title II prohibits discrimination on
the basis of disability in State and local government programs,
activities, and services, including transportation and employment. The
employment provisions (title I), most transportation provisions (title
II, Subpart B), and telecommunications provisions (title IV) of the ADA
are regulated by other
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Federal agencies and are not the subject of this Notice.
Section 506 of the ADA requires the Department of Justice to
provide technical assistance to entities and individuals that have
responsibilities or rights under title II (subtitle A, State and local
government services) and title III (public accommodations and
commercial facilities) of the ADA.
Pursuant to this requirement, the Department provides a variety of
ADA-related services and information, including:
--A toll-free ADA Information Line (for voice and TTY callers) through
which the public may obtain free publications and answers to questions
about how the ADA applies to their own unique situation. The line,
which fields up to 2,000 calls per week, also provides on-line service
for Spanish-speaking callers;
--An ADA speakers bureau providing speakers from the Civil Rights
Division to address a variety of ADA topics;
--Development and distribution of technical assistance materials,
including the Department's regulations implementing titles II and III,
technical assistance manuals for titles II and III, a series of ADA
questions and answers publications, and other technical assistance
materials targeted toward businesses, State and local government
officials, professionals, and the general public. These materials may
also be obtained through the Disability Rights Section's electronic
bulletin board and through FedWorld on the Internet; and
--An outreach program to identify, inform, and work with covered
entities and persons with disabilities, including disseminating
information about the ADA and the Department's ADA Information Line to
6 million businesses through the IRS quarterly mailing, distributing
television and radio Public Service Announcements on the ADA featuring
the Attorney General to broadcast stations, and disseminating ADA
information and technical assistance materials to other targeted
audiences including mayors of large cities, 11,000 law enforcement
programs and national advocacy and service organizations representing
people with disabilities, African Americans, and Hispanics, among
others.
Under section 506(d) of the Act, the Department has authority to
award grants to non-profit entities and individuals for the purpose of
supplementing the Department's technical assistance efforts. The
Technical Assistance Grant Program is designed to develop and implement
cost effective strategies to disseminate information about the
responsibilities or rights of covered entities and individuals under
titles II and III of the ADA and to provide practical information on
effective ways to achieve compliance with the ADA. Through this
program, the Department works with organizations and individuals
representing the many constituencies affected by the ADA to develop and
deliver educational programs and materials targeted to these audiences
nationwide. The goal of the program is to foster voluntary compliance
with the ADA.
Because the grant program is educational in nature, the Department
does not fund projects to research or resolve issues that are outside
the scope of the Department's current ADA regulations and court
interpretations. The program is not intended to fund or support site-
specific compliance implementation (e.g., funding to make specific
facilities more accessible), or to fund or support inspections,
reviews, or tests to determine whether an entity is meeting its
compliance obligations.
Since the initiation of the grant program in 1991, the Department
has awarded over 50 grants to non-profit organizations and State
government entities. Previous recipients have included a wide range of
groups conducting a variety of projects.
Title III projects have been directed toward educating owners and
operators of hotels and motels, retail stores, grocery stores,
restaurants and bars, professional offices, recreation and fitness
centers, museums and other places of public display or collection,
travel and tour agents, hospitals and health care providers, service
providers for elderly persons, day care centers, small shops and
stores, and large commercial properties.
Title II projects have worked toward educating mayors of medium and
large cities and small towns, law enforcement personnel, 911/emergency
response operators, officers of State courts, State social service
agencies, persons involved in testing for licensure and certification
purposes, and members and staff of local historic preservation
commissions.
Other projects have been directed toward persons who can assist
others in complying with the ADA, including professors and students in
architecture, interior design, industrial design, and landscape
architecture schools and programs; State and local building code
officials; disability advocates; librarians; local historic
preservation commissions; community and professional mediators; and
building contractors and construction tradespeople. Simple, easy to
understand materials about the ADA have been translated into Spanish
and other languages.
The Department has undertaken other initiatives to ensure that
materials developed by the Department and those developed under the
grant program are available in localities across the country. An ADA
Information File, which contains more than 60 ADA technical assistance
documents, has been placed in 15,000 libraries throughout the country.
Additional materials will be added to the ADA Information File in the
coming months. The Department also disseminated similar informational
packets to 6,000 Chambers of Commerce nationwide. As a result, a wealth
of resources and educational information exists today in local
communities. (A listing of materials contained in the ADA Information
File will be included in the Grant Application Packet.)
The Department of Justice and other agencies have also taken steps
to ensure that ADA technical assistance is available nationally,
regionally, and locally. The Department, the Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and the Architectural and Transportation
Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) all operate toll-free ADA
Information Lines to provide direct technical assistance to the public.
The Department and the EEOC jointly funded a project to create the ADA
Training and Implementation Network, a network of approximately 400
individuals who completed an intensive ADA training course. Members of
the Network are currently located in every State in the country to
serve as local resources for businesses, governments, and persons with
disabilities. The U.S. Department of Education funds ten Regional
Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers (DBTACs) to
provide technical assistance to covered entities and individuals with
disabilities at the local, State, and regional level.
Despite these efforts and the availability of ADA information and
resources, the Department has learned--through calls to its ADA
Information Line, meetings with the public, Congressional inquiries,
and studies conducted by the Government Accounting Office and by Louis
Harris & Associates, Inc. for the National Organization on Disability--
that:
--Many people continue to be unaware of what the ADA requires and how
easy it can be to comply;
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--Many people still believe that the ADA's requirements are more
stringent than they are, or are unaware of cost-effective solutions for
achieving compliance with the ADA;
--Some people who are trying in good faith to comply with the ADA are
making needless and costly mistakes; and
--This lack of understanding can lead people to resist making efforts
to comply, or make them vulnerable to hard-sell tactics by individuals
who would profiteer from their lack of knowledge.
For these reasons, under its fiscal year 1995 grant program, the
Department funded sixteen (16) organizations to conduct statewide pilot
projects to work with and educate both small businesses and State and
local government officials. Title III projects for small businesses
were conducted in the States of Alaska, California, Louisiana,
Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and
Texas. Title II projects for State and local government officials were
conducted in Arizona, Connecticut, Kansas, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, and North Carolina.
These pilot projects, although not all of them have been completed,
have already reached thousands of small business owners and State and
local government officials at the local level, resulting in the
identification of available community resources and the means for
continuing, long term exchange of ideas and information. Because the
pilot projects have been successful, the Department will fund
additional statewide outreach and educational projects, as described in
the following section.
Program Priorities
For fiscal year 1996, the Department is again establishing absolute
funding priorities and will fund multiple statewide projects under each
priority. The objectives of funding priorities one and two are (1) to
increase awareness of the ADA; (2) to increase knowledge of existing
materials and resources available locally, within the State,
regionally, and from the Federal government to assist people in
understanding and complying with titles II and III of the ADA; and (3)
to promote the exchange of ideas and information on successful
compliance efforts. The Department will not consider proposals for
funding that are duplicative of projects funded in individual States in
1995 (see list of funded projects and States in Background and Program
Description).
The Department is soliciting proposals that address the following
two (2) specific priority areas:
Priority 1: Statewide pilot projects to educate small businesses
about the basic requirements of title III of the ADA.
The ADA provides a general framework to eliminate discrimination
against people with disabilities while providing flexibility to address
the unique circumstances of the estimated 6 million businesses in the
United States. While this flexibility allows business owners and
managers to make their own decisions about exactly how they can comply,
many do not know where to turn for accurate, practical information and
assistance within their own communities. Business owners and managers
may attempt to comply and yet not be successful, or they may be
reluctant to implement any kind of strategy for compliance.
Studies show that business owners can comply with the ADA easily
and reasonably if provided with adequate information and support. These
projects are intended to use existing business and professional
organizations to increase awareness of the ADA and the availability of
ADA resources, and to engage members of local business communities in
helping each other find practical, successful ways to comply with the
ADA.
Preference will be given to state-based organizations that
demonstrate an established relationship with the business community
across that particular State. Examples include, but are not limited to,
state-based private, non-profit professional and trade organizations
(e.g., a State association of small business owners, a State Chamber of
Commerce, a statewide retail or hospitality association, etc.), or
State government agencies that work with the business community (e.g.,
Departments of Resource and Economic Development, Small Business
Development Centers, a State Bureau of Travel or Tourism, etc.).
Applications will be considered only from organizations located
within the state of the defined target audience. Applications submitted
by organizations not meeting this requirement will not be considered.
Proposed projects must work with established local business and
professional organizations using their regularly scheduled meetings,
local and regional ADA resources and individuals with ADA expertise,
and ADA publications and materials available free from the Department
of Justice to reach and educate small businesses, non-profit groups,
and others who must comply with title III of the ADA.
Project activities must be conducted in all regions of the State,
reach a diverse representation of title III entities statewide, and
represent a joint venture with organizations representing people with
disabilities.
It is not anticipated that projects funded under this priority will
develop new technical assistance material. Projects must use existing
ADA material developed by the Department, other Federal agencies, or
grantees, and approved by the Department. Grantees may not use non-
approved material in conducting the project.
Statewide projects to educate small businesses about the basic
requirements of title III of the ADA shall include the following major
components:
--Conduct ADA educational programs in all regions of the State, working
with established local business and professional organizations using
their regularly scheduled meetings. A minimum of 50 programs must be
conducted in larger States and a minimum of 25 programs must be
conducted in smaller States. Letters of commitment from groups such as
Merchant Associations, Jaycees, Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary Clubs, or
similar organizations to utilize their existing meetings to conduct the
project must be included with the grant application (proposals not
based on using the regularly scheduled meetings of these organizations
will not be considered);
--Programs must provide: basic information on the requirements of title
III of the ADA using approved technical assistance materials available
from the Department of Justice, including the ``Open for Business''
videotape, the Americans with Disabilities Act Guide for Small
Businesses (publication date: 7/96), the Checklist for Readily
Achievable Barrier Removal, the ADA Questions and Answers booklet, the
IRS Tax Credit form, etc.; a list of technical assistance resources
available locally, within the State, and from the Federal government
that participants may use to obtain technical assistance at a later
time; and time for local businesses to discuss issues, share ideas, and
identify practical, cost-effective solutions that they have used
successfully to comply with the ADA. An outline of a model program (one
to two hours in length) must be included with the grant application;
--Use local, State, and regional ADA resources and individuals
knowledgeable about the ADA for
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assistance to conduct the educational programs. It is anticipated that
speakers and presenters will voluntarily provide their services. Grant
funds may be used to reimburse individual travel expenses, but may not
be used to provide honoraria for speakers. Letters of cooperation or
support from groups such as the regional Disability and Business
Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC) or local DBTAC affiliates,
Independent Living Centers, other organizations representing people
with disabilities, or members of the ADA Training and Implementation
Network must be included with the grant application;
--Develop a marketing pamphlet or flyer that can be easily tailored,
reproduced, and used by local business groups hosting the programs;
--Ensure that businesses owned or operated by people who are members of
racial and ethnic minority groups will be included within the audiences
reached;
--In carrying out the project, the grant recipient must use existing
ADA publications and materials reviewed by the Federal government that
are available from the Department and other agencies.
--Provide a brief final report on the project, including an
identification of the strengths and weaknesses of the project, the
number and types of participants involved, examples of known positive
changes that may have occurred as a result of the project, and
suggestions for improvement for the Department.
Priority 2: Statewide ADA information-sharing conferences for
government officials.
In the United States today, an estimated 86,000 units of State,
county, and municipal governments are working to understand and meet
their obligations under title II of the ADA. The ADA provides the
general framework to eliminate discrimination against people with
disabilities, but also the flexibility to address the unique
circumstances encountered by State and local government programs and
activities. While this allows State and local government officials with
ADA compliance responsibilities to decide exactly how to comply, many
may not know where to turn for accurate, practical information and
assistance within their own communities and may be reluctant to take
needed action.
While many State and local governments have been successful in
making their programs and activities accessible to people with
disabilities, misinformation about the requirements of the ADA
continues to exist, making voluntary compliance more confusing and
burdensome for some than it need be. For example, many believe the ADA
requires that all buildings must be accessible, when, in fact, the ADA
actually requires that a public entity make its programs accessible to
people with disabilities through means such as relocation of programs
to an accessible location, structural modifications, or other
alternatives. For those State and local government officials having the
authority and the responsibility for developing and implementing ADA
compliance strategies, access to information and other assistance is
paramount if compliance efforts are to be successful. Yet, the
significant resources that exist at the State and local level are often
overlooked and underutilized, including other State and local
governments that have already successfully resolved compliance issues.
One of the Department's primary roles and responsibilities is to
assist local communities, both small and large, to understand the ADA's
requirements through education and technical assistance. To accomplish
this, the Department will fund projects to conduct statewide ADA
information-sharing conferences for State and local government
officials. These conferences will provide information on the
requirements of title II the ADA, the ADA resources available locally,
regionally and from the Federal government, and promote the exchange of
ideas and information on successful compliance efforts within the
State.
Proposed projects should target participants with decision making
authority over programs that serve the public, particularly those with
responsibility for ADA compliance activities. Preference will be given
to State agencies or state-based organizations that demonstrate the
existence of an established relationship with the target audience
across that particular State. Examples include, but are not limited to,
a State office on accessibility and ADA compliance, a State building
code council, or state-based organizations that represent or work with
local and State government officials such as a State municipal
association, association of counties, association of cities or towns,
council of mayors or city managers, etc.
Applications will be considered only from organizations located
within the state of the defined target audience. Applications submitted
by organizations not meeting this requirement will not be considered.
Proposed projects must bring State and local government officials
from across the State together with individuals knowledgeable about the
ADA from local, regional, and Federal sources, use approved ADA
publications and materials available free from the Department or other
sources, and provide a mechanism for the continuing exchange of
information and ideas among the conference participants.
The statewide conference must reach a diverse representation of
title II entities statewide.
It is not anticipated that projects funded under this priority will
develop new technical assistance material. Projects must use existing
ADA material developed by the Department, other Federal agencies, or
grantees, and approved by the Department. Grantees may not use non-
approved material in conducting the project.
Projects to conduct a statewide ADA information-sharing conferences
for local and State government officials shall include the following
major components:
--Working with State and local government agencies, officials, and
employees, plan and promote the ADA conference to ensure representation
from local and State agencies and programs from around the State.
Letters of cooperation or support from such organizations must be
included with the grant application;
--An outline plan for promoting the conference and its goals, including
use of the media, must be included with the grant application;
--Identify and develop a list of local, State, regional, and Federal
ADA resources that serve the State (e.g., regional DBTAC and local
DBTAC affiliates, Centers for Independent Living, other organizations
representing people with disabilities, members of the ADA Training and
Implementation Network, local and State officials with ADA expertise,
Federal ADA information lines, electronic bulletin boards, the ADA
Information File in local libraries, etc.);
--Plan and conduct one statewide conference that will provide:
information on the requirements of title II of the ADA specifically
tailored to the needs of the targeted audience; information about
technical assistance resources available locally, within the State, and
from the Federal government; a variety of workshops or break-out
sessions tailored to address specific issues and to enable
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participants to discuss issues, share ideas, and learn of practical,
cost-effective solutions that have been used successfully to comply
with the ADA; and a mechanism for the continuing exchange of
information and ideas among the conference participants (such as
distributing lists of ADA resources and the names and addresses of
conference participants to all conference attendees). A detailed
outline of the proposed agenda for the conference must be included with
the grant application;
--In carrying out the conference, the grant recipient must use existing
ADA publications and materials reviewed by the Federal government that
are available from the Department and other agencies, and the local,
State, regional, and Federal ADA resources that serve the State, as
described above. Letters of cooperation or support from groups or
individuals who will be participating as speakers must be included with
the grant application;
--Provide a final report on the project, including an identification of
the strengths and weaknesses of the project, the number and types of
participants involved, examples of known positive changes that may have
occurred as a result of the project, and suggestions for improvement
for the Department.
Selection Criteria
Applicants will be evaluated in each of the following four
selection criteria areas for a total of 100 points:
Project Strategy and Plan of Action (50 Points)
Applicants must demonstrate a thorough understanding of the grant
proposal priority, including the background, intended audience, and
intended approach. Applicants must be located within the State in which
the project will be conducted and also demonstrate the ability to reach
as diverse a segment of the target audience as possible in a cost-
efficient manner. Project goals and expected outcomes should be clearly
articulated. Clarity, quality, and appropriateness of the plans,
methodologies, and procedures to achieve the goals listed in the
application will be carefully considered. Proposals should reflect the
involvement of State and local business and government organizations
with local, State, and regional organizations that provide ADA
technical assistance and organizations that represent people with
disabilities. Proposals must include letters of commitment as
previously described under each program priority.
The plan of action must be sound and well-reasoned, with evidence
of the ability to implement the plan immediately and complete the
project within the period of performance. Project strategy must include
a plan for documenting known positive changes that may occur as a
result of the project and for evaluating the strengths and weaknesses
of the project, as previously described under each program priority.
Staff Capability (25 Points)
Applicants must provide evidence of qualified personnel to
undertake the project. The application must contain necessary position
description(s), resume(s), and assurances of the timely availability of
key staff (salaried or contract staff) with appropriate competencies
and experience. Duties outlined for grant-funded position(s) must be
clearly appropriate to the scope of the work being carried out under
the project.
Organizational Capability and Management Plan (20 Points)
Applicants must demonstrate the ability to reach and work
effectively with the targeted audience and offer evidence of proven
organizational ability to provide high quality results utilizing
appropriate key personnel. Applications must include a management plan
that provides evidence of project control by management, efficient and
timely use of staff and other resources, and effective quality control
mechanisms.
Resources/Facilities/Equipment (5 Points)
Applicants must demonstrate the availability and appropriateness of
resources (other than personnel), physical facilities, and equipment
proposed to be used to carry out the project.
General Requirements for Grant Recipients
The following general grant program requirements should be
considered by each applicant in developing both its project timeline
and budget. Successful applicants must adhere to all conditions as
specified; any deviation from the requirements in this section must be
negotiated with DOJ.
Coordination with Other Agencies and Organizations. Grantees are
expected to coordinate their project activities with the Department of
Justice, and, where appropriate, with other Federally sponsored ADA
technical assistance activities, such as the Department of Education's
Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers (DBTACs). Grantees
must utilize existing technical assistance materials developed by the
Department, its grantees, other Federal agencies and their grantees.
Grantee Orientation and Post-Award Monitoring. The Department
intends to provide grant recipients with the maximum amount of post-
award guidance and technical assistance possible within budget and
staff constraints. Within approximately one month of the grant award,
the Department will conduct a mandatory one-day orientation session on
the ADA and grant management procedures. Each grant recipient will be
invited to send one staff person to this session. Funds for travel to
Washington, D.C. for this orientation session may be included in the
proposed grant budget. Applicants are advised that DOJ staff may make
periodic site visits to provide grant recipients with guidance and
technical assistance and to monitor the progress of the grant. The
Office of Justice Programs (OJP), a component of the Department of
Justice, will provide financial management and other services in
support of the Disability Rights Section in the administration of this
program. Applicants are advised that copies of both the quarterly
progress reports and quarterly financial reports sent to OJP must also
be sent to the Disability Rights Section.
DOJ Review of Grantee Materials. All materials used or developed by
grant recipients must be approved by DOJ in advance of use. This
includes all media releases, scripts, program outlines/agendas, and
handouts. However, it is not anticipated that grant recipients will
develop new technical assistance materials under these priorities.
Availability of Existing Materials. Publications and resource lists
that are currently available to the public from the Department of
Justice (DOJ) will be provided, in bulk, to grant recipients free of
charge, as resources permit. Grantees are not responsible for the
duplication of DOJ materials. If an applicant wishes to use materials
produced by previous DOJ grant recipients or recipients of grants from
other Federal agencies, including the National Institute on Disability
and Rehabilitation Research, it should coordinate such requests with
DOJ.
Copyrights. The grantor agency reserves a royalty-free,
nonexclusive, and irrevocable license to reproduce, publish or
otherwise use, and to authorize others to use, for Federal government
purposes: (1) The copyright in any work developed under a grant,
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subgrant, or contract under a grant or subgrant; and (2) any rights of
copyright to which a grantee, subgrantee, or a contractor purchases
ownership with grant support.
Program Income. Grantee recipients may charge for grant-related
activities and products (e.g., new materials developed and
disseminated, conference registration fees), as long as all income
derived from such activities and products is added to funds committed
to the grant and its activities. Specifically, this program income
(gross income earned by the grantee, during the funding period, as a
direct result of the grant award or its activities) must be used ``to
further the eligible project or program objectives'' or ``to finance
the non-Federal share of the project or program'' (e.g., obtaining
equipment or other assets required for the project). Program income may
not be used to support or further a grantee's general organization, its
programs or its services.
Costs associated with the provision of refreshments may not be paid
for with grant funds. It is anticipated that speakers and presenters
will voluntarily provide their services. Grant funds may be used to
reimburse individual travel and accommodation expenses, but may not be
used to provide honoraria for speakers. Fees charged by grantees (if
any) must be nominal and there shall be no charge for materials
provided to audience participants.
Alternate Formats (Print and Audiovisual). All materials produced
in standard print must also be produced in large print, in Braille, and
on audiotape in proportion to anticipated demand by persons with vision
impairments in the targeted population(s). Audiotapes of lengthy
materials must be voice- or tone-indexed.
Effective Communication and Accessibility Requirements. Applicants
who plan to list a voice telephone number on correspondence or
promotional materials concerning the grant activities, or on materials
produced under the grant, must also list a telephone number for TTY
users. Applicants who plan to use an automated telephone information
system to respond to voice calls concerning grant activities must
provide comparable service for TTY users. The cost of establishing an
automated TTY information system or purchasing a TTY may not be
included in the proposed project budget.
All grant activities must be held in accessible facilities. All
programs must be accessible to attendees with communication
disabilities.
Materials to be Provided to DOJ. Twenty-five (25) copies of each
media release, marketing flyer, or other materials developed to promote
the project must be provided to DOJ.
If grant project activities are videotaped, one copy must be
submitted to DOJ. If videotapes are intended for commercial use, all
must be captioned.
A copy of the final text of each document or videotape script
produced must be provided to DOJ on computer disk in ASCII or
Wordperfect.
Application Requirements
Under Section 506(d) of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the
Department is authorized to award grants to individuals and non-profit
organizations to supplement its ADA technical assistance efforts. All
applicants must submit, in the order given, one bound original and two
unbound copies of the following information:
1. A signed SF 424 and SF 424A (Rev. 4/88) application form and a
signed Form 4000/3 (Assurances--Attachment to SF-424). The grant
priority number under which the applicant is submitting the proposal
must be clearly identified in box number 11 on form SF 424.
2. A one-page Abstract that summarizes the goals of the project,
the nature and size of the population(s) to be reached through the
project, and the project strategy. Applicants should state explicitly
the number of people expected to be served in the course of the
project's activities.
3. A Project Strategy and Plan of Action (maximum length 15 pages)
that:
--Addresses each major component identified in the program priority for
which applicant is applying;
--Describes major activities and events;
--Provides a description of the applicant's plan for working with other
local, State, regional, and Federal ADA resources; and
--Provides a plan for evaluating the effectiveness of the project, as
described under the program priorities.
4. A Management Plan that includes a timeline for completion of all
project objectives, activities, events, and products.
5. A Budget Narrative required by the SF 424 (Rev. 4/88), which
includes the basis for all costs presented in the budget.
6. A brief statement identifying the facilities, equipment, and
other resources available for carrying out the project.
7. Job description(s) for key position(s) that are proposed to be
funded under the grant.
8. Resume(s) or qualification(s) of the key individual(s) who will
fill the grant position(s), including consultants, if any (maximum
length 3 pages each).
9. Letters of commitment from organizations and/or individuals that
will be involved in the project. (Letters of reference are not required
and, if submitted, will not be considered.)
10. A signed certification regarding lobbying, debarment,
suspension, other responsibility matters, and drug-free workplace
requirements, OJP Form 4061/6.
11. A disclosure of lobbying activities, SF LLL.
(Please Note: Non-profit applicants who have not previously
received Federal financial assistance from the Department of Justice
may also be required to submit a disclosure of financial capability
statement or other documentation prior to the grant award.)
Dated: May 16, 1996.
Deval L. Patrick,
Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division.
[FR Doc. 96-12779 Filed 5-21-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-01-P