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Accessibility Support Program

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Accessibility Support Program

OCECD’s Accessibility Support Program is a vital part of our organization’s commitment to serving all families across Ohio. We recognize the diverse needs of families throughout the state, including those who require resources in different languages or formats. Through our Accessibility Support Program, we offer training on IDEA 2004 and a variety of other topics that support inclusive and accessible education for children and youth with special needs. Our team includes bilingual information  specialists/trainers who provide information and support to families in the language or format they prefer.

For assistance, call Chantelle Blackburn at 740-382-5452. She can help you directly or connect you with a bilingual staff member who serves your region.


Ohio Department of Education Revised Accommodations for English Learners 1-24-2019 Notification

Following a review of the Department’s commitment to English learners and appropriate assessment accommodations, the Department updated its Accessibility Manual, Ohio’s State Test Rules Book and Ohio Graduation Tests (OGT) Test Administration Manuals. The updates ensure accommodations for English learners, including language translation, are not determined by time enrolled in U.S. schools or the number of years a student has been identified as an English learner.  Please review the notification above for a complete listing of revisions.




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U.S. Department of Education Releases Guidance on English Learners

Dear Colleague Letter: English Learner Students and Limited English Proficient Parents- Forty years ago, the Supreme Court of the United States determined that in order for public schools to comply with their legal obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), they must take affirmative steps to ensure that students with limited English proficiency (LEP) can meaningfully participate in their educational programs and services.1 That same year, Congress enacted the Equal Educational Opportunities Act (EEOA), which confirmed that public schools and State educational agencies (SEAs) must act to overcome language barriers that impede equal participation by students in their instructional programs. Ensuring that SEAs and school districts are equipped with the tools and resources to meet their responsibilities to LEP students, who are now more commonly referred to as English Learner (EL) students or English Language Learner students, is as important today as it was then. EL students are now enrolled in nearly three out of every four public schools in the nation, they constitute nine percent of all public school students, and their numbers are steadily increasing.  It is crucial to the future of our nation that these students, and all students, have equal access to a high-quality education and the opportunity to achieve their full academic potential. We applaud those working to ensure equal educational opportunities for EL students, as well as the many schools and communities creating programs that recognize the heritage languages of EL students.  See Document Here!


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The contents of this website were developed in part under a grant from the US Department of Education, #H328M150052. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government or Project Officer, David Emenheiser.