§ 1850.150 - Program accessibility: Existing facilities.

§ 1850.150 Program accessibility: Existing facilities.

(a) General. The agency OSC shall operate each program or activity so that the program or activity, when viewed in its entirety, is readily accessible to and usable by individuals with handicapsdisabilities. This paragraph does not -

(1) Necessarily require the agency OSC to make each of its existing facilities accessible to and usable by individuals with handicapsdisabilities;

(2) In the case of historic preservation programs, require the agency OSC to take any action that would result in a substantial impairment of significant historic features of an historic property; or

(3) Require the agency OSC to take any action that it can demonstrate would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of a program or activity or in undue financial and administrative burdens. In those circumstances where agency OSC personnel believe that the proposed action would fundamentally alter the program or activity or would result in undue financial and administrative burdens, the agency OSC has the burden of proving that compliance with § 1850.150this paragraph (a) would result in such alteration or burdens. The decision that compliance would result in such alteration or burdens must be made by the agency head or his or her Special Counsel or the Special Counsel's designee after considering all agency OSC resources available for use in the funding and operation of the conducted program or activity , and must be accompanied by a written statement of the reasons for reaching that conclusion. If an action would result in such an alteration or such burdens, the agency OSC shall take any other action that would not result in such an alteration or such burdens but would nevertheless ensure that individuals with handicaps disabilities receive the benefits and services of the program or activity.

(b) Methods -

(1) General. The agency OSC may comply with the requirements of this section through such means as redesign of equipment, reassignment of services to accessible buildings, assignment of aides to beneficiaries, home visits, delivery of services at alternate accessible sites, alteration of existing facilities and construction of new facilities, use of accessible rolling stock, or any other methods that result in making its programs or activities readily accessible to and usable by individuals with handicapsdisabilities. The agency OSC is not required to make structural changes in existing facilities where other methods are effective in achieving compliance with this section. The agencyOSC, in making alterations to existing buildings, shall meet accessibility requirements to the extent compelled by the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4151-4157), and any regulations implementing it. In choosing among available methods for meeting the requirements of this section, the agency OSC shall give priority to those methods that offer programs and activities to qualified individuals with handicaps disabilities in the most integrated setting appropriate.

(2) Historic preservation programs. In meeting the requirements of § 1850.150paragraph (a) of this section in historic preservation programs, the agency OSC shall give priority to methods that provide physical access to individuals with handicapsdisabilities. In cases where a physical alteration to an historic property is not required because of § 1850.150paragraphs (a)(2) or (3) of this section, alternative methods of achieving program accessibility include -

(i) Using audio-visual materials and devices to depict those portions of an historic property that cannot otherwise be made accessible;

(ii) Assigning persons individuals to guide individuals with handicaps disabilities into or through portions of historic properties that cannot otherwise be made accessible; or

(iii) Adopting other innovative methods.

(c) Time period for compliance. The agency shall comply with the obligations established under this section by November 7, 1988, except that where structural changes in facilities are undertaken, such changes shall be made by September 6, 1991, but in any event as expeditiously as possible.

(d) Transition plan. In the event that structural changes to facilities will be undertaken to achieve program accessibility, the agency shall develop, by March 6, 1989, a transition plan setting forth the steps necessary to complete such changes. The agency shall provide an opportunity to interested persons, including individuals with handicaps or organizations representing individuals with handicaps, to participate in the development of the transition plan by submitting comments (both oral and written). A copy of the transition plan shall be made available for public inspection. The plan shall, at a minimum -

(1) Identify physical obstacles in the agency's facilities that limit the accessibility of its programs or activities to individuals with handicaps;

(2) Describe in detail the methods that will be used to make the facilities accessible;

(3) Specify the schedule for taking the steps necessary to achieve compliance with this section and, if the time period of the transition plan is longer than one year, identify steps that will be taken during each year of the transition period; and

(4) Indicate the official responsible for implementation of the plan.