Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)

Welcome to OSERS

The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) understands the many challenges still facing individuals with disabilities and their families. Therefore, OSERS is committed to improving results and outcomes for people with disabilities of all ages. OSERS supports programs that serve millions of children, youth and adults with disabilities.

In implementing our mission, OSERS supports programs that help educate children and youth with disabilities and provides for the rehabilitation of youth and adults with disabilities. OSERS provides a wide array of supports to parents and individuals, school districts and states in two main areas—special education and vocational rehabilitation—through our two main components: OSEP and RSA.

OAS

Office of the Assistant Secretary

OSEP

Office of Special Education Programs

RSA

Rehabilitation Services Administration

View OSERS Functional Statement

Address

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services 
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Ave., SW
Washington, DC 20202

Find information about the people who work at OSERS and learn how to contact our team.

OSERS develops and implements policy and legislation that directly impact individuals with disabilities and their families. OSERS also plays a critical role in monitoring these laws and regulations.

Founding Law

OSERS basic founding law can be found in the following section of the U.S. Code:

U.S. Code: Title 20, Chapter 48, Subchapter II, Section 3417.
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services

There shall be in the Department an Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, to be administered by the Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services appointed under section 3412(b) of this title. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 3472 of this title, the Secretary shall delegate to the Assistant Secretary all functions, other than administrative and support functions, transferred to the Secretary under sections 3441(a)(1) of this title (with respect to the bureau for the education and training of the handicapped), 3441(a)(2)(H) of this title, and 3441(a)(4) of this title.

Laws and statutes authorizing OSERS programs and activities:

• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. (IDEA)
  The IDEA formula grant programs (Part B, Sections 611, and 619) assist states in providing a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment for children with disabilities ages 3 through 21 and early intervention services (Part C) for infants and toddlers birth through age two and their families.

  The IDEA Part D National Program provides discretionary grants to institutions of higher education and other non-profit organizations to support research, demonstrations, technical assistance, and dissemination, technology, personnel development and parent-training and information centers.

  Find out more about the IDEA at OSERS' IDEA Website.
   

• Rehabilitation Act of 1973. (Rehab Act) as amended by title IV of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
  WIOA was signed into law on July 22, 2014. This legislation and its implementing federal regulations are designed to strengthen and improve our nation's public workforce system and help Americans with significant barriers to employment, including individuals with disabilities, into high quality jobs and careers and help employers hire and retain skilled workers.

  The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended by title IV of WIOA establishes programs and initiatives administered by RSA.
   

• The Education of the Deaf Act. (EDA)
  The EDA supports Gallaudet University, a federally chartered, private, non-profit educational institution providing elementary, secondary, undergraduate, and continuing education programs for persons who are deaf. Gallaudet University offers a traditional liberal arts curriculum for students who are deaf and graduate programs in fields related to deafness for students who are deaf and students who are hearing. The EDA also provides support for the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID), which was created by Congress in 1965 to promote the employment of persons who are deaf. NTID offers a variety of technical programs at the certificate, diploma and associate degree levels. In addition, NTID students may participate in educational programs available through the host institution, the Rochester Institute of Technology.
   
• Act to Promote Education of the Blind of March 3, 1879.
  The Act supports the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) to provide high-quality educational materials to legally blind persons enrolled in educational or vocational training programs below the college level so that these students may benefit more fully from their educational programs. Materials are produced and made available free of charge to schools and states through proportional allotments that reflect the number of blind students in each state. The allotments are based on an annual census, conducted by APH, of the number of students who are legally blind in each state and are provided in the form of credits.
   
• The Helen Keller National Center Act. (HKNC)
  The Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults (as amended by P.L. 99-506; 29 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.) was created by Congress in 1969 and operates under the auspices of Helen Keller Services for the Blind, Inc. The center provides services on a national basis to individuals who are deaf-blind, their families and service providers through three component programs.
   
• The Randolph-Sheppard Act. (Vending Facilities for the Blind)
  The Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility Program, authorized by the  Act (P.L. 74-732, as amended by P.L. 83-565 and P.L. 93-516, 20 U.S.C. section 107 et seq.), provides persons who are blind with remunerative employment and self-support through the operation of vending facilities on federal and other property. The program, enacted into law in 1936, was intended to enhance employment opportunities for trained, licensed blind persons to operate vending facilities. At the outset, sundry stands were placed in the lobbies of federal office buildings and post offices. The law was amended in 1954 and again in 1974 to ensure individuals who are blind a "priority" in the operation of vending facilities on federal property that include cafeterias, snack bars, miscellaneous facilities, and facilities comprised solely of vending machines.

Implementing OSERS' Policies and Legislation

Additional resources and information about legislation and policy can be found on the following pages:

• OSEP Legislation & Policy
• RSA Legislation & Policy
   

OSERS Spotlight

20th Anniversary of the Reauthorization of the IDEA

Dec. 3 marks the 20th anniversary of the 2004 reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). OSERS Assistant Secretary Glenna Wright-Gallo reflects on the last 20 years and focuses on toward the future.

12/3/2024

Education Department Releases Guidance to Better Support Students’ Behavioral Needs

The U.S. Department of Education released guidance to help schools and early childhood programs better support students’ behavioral needs. Functional Behavioral Assessment guidance is intended to reduce exclusionary discipline and better support and respond to student behavior.

• View Blog Post
• View FBA Guidance

11/20/2024

OSEP Awards Nearly $19 Million To Help States Expand Personnel Development Efforts to Improve Results for Children with Disabilities 

The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) in the U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced it awarded $18.8 million in Fiscal Year 2024 to four state educational agencies through the State Personnel Development Grants (SPDG) program.

11/13/2024

OSEP Fast Facts Highlights Children Receiving Services Under IDEA in the Outlying Areas, Freely Associated States

The new OSEP Fast Facts looks at children served in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.

10/29/2024

The Office of Special Education Programs Awards More Than $17 Million for 78 Personnel Preparation and Professional Development-Related Grants

Resources to help school-based staff and providers implement proactive behavioral practices to support academic achievement and well-being

OSEP highlighted resources from OSEP and three of its technical assistance centers to guide the development, support and regular use of evidence-based practices to ensure students have a positive school year.

10/21/2024

RSA Awards $251 Million to Advance Competitive Integrated Employment

ED awarded $251 million to 27 grantees across the country who are working to ensure individuals with disabilities have access to in-demand, good-paying jobs of the 21st century. These five-year grants, under the Disability Innovation Fund (DIF), will continue to promote competitive integrated employment so that youth and adults with disabilities are paid real wages for real jobs, while creating pathways to some of today’s most in-demand fields. 

09/10/2024

Secretary of Education Visits RSA Grantees in Chicago

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona visited Access Living in Chicago, IL as part of the 2024 Back to School Bus Tour. Access Living, a center for independent living, is a partner of the Illinois Division of Vocational Rehabilitation's Disability Innovation Fund Pathways to Partnership project. 

09/04/2024

ED, HHS Release Joint Letter on Early Hearing Detection and Intervention, Early Intervention Programs

The Departments of Education and Health and Human Services released a joint letter to address critical gaps in service for deaf or hard of hearing infants and toddlers.

08/02/204

ED Awards More Than $1 Million in Grants to Develop Evidence-Based Models of Family Engagement and Improve Services to Children with Disabilities

OSEP announced it will fund three model demonstration projects that will develop strategies to involve parents as partners in creating equitable and inclusive schools, with a focus on engaging with military-connected families.

07/15/2024

RSA Publishes Commissioner’s Letter on Military-Connected Families

RSA published a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL 24-04) from RSA Commissioner Allen celebrating our nation’s independence, independence that is protected and sustained by the many dedicated and brave members of the military services. The letter highlights the ways in which the VR program is well positioned to assist members of the military whose families include students, youth, and adults with disabilities.

07/15/2024

OSERS Issues 2024 State Implementation IDEA Determination Letters 

ED issued its 2024 determinations for states and territories on their implementation of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). 

06/21/2024

ED Submits the 45th Annual Report to Congress on Nation’s Progress Related to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

ED submitted its 2023 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) annual report to Congress.

03/24/2024

OSEP Fast Facts Provides Updated Look at Data on Children Identified With Autism

OSEP released a new OSEP Fast Facts, which provides updated data on children identified with autism.

03/21/2024

Resource: Medicaid Funding for School-Based Services

This resource helps families to access the Medicaid funds provides to schools annually to increase access to quality physical, mental, and behavioral health services for eligible students. These funds pay for services to students with disabilities served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and students from low-income families enrolled in Medicaid or Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) programs.

03/12/2024

Dispelling Myths Associated with Assistive Technology

ED released guidance in support of infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities who may require assistive technology (AT) devices and services.

01/22/2024