Okla. Admin. Code § 612:20-3-1

Current through Vol. 42, No. 7, December 16, 2024

Section 612:20-3-1 - The special schools

(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.

Okla. Admin. Code § 612:20-3-1

Added at 10 Ok Reg 4643, eff 9-1-93 (emergency); Added at 11 Ok Reg 2459, eff 7-1-94; Amended at 12 Ok Reg 1509, eff 7-1-95